Citizenship in Action: A Trip to the National Justice Museum

Citizenship is about the outside world, it looks at what pupils need to know to play a full part in society as active and responsible citizens and the moral dilemmas this can pose.

Form 4 Citizenship pupils at Oakham School recently had the unique opportunity to experience justice in action during a visit to the National Justice Museum in Nottingham.

Housed in the historic Nottingham Courts and Prison, the museum takes visitors back to the Victorian era and what better place to consider ‘just punishment’ rather than vengeance than the former youth court?

Actors play roles of jailers, judges, and other courtroom figures, helping pupils put their learning into perspective. From examining the grim prison cells to considering the methods once used to carry out the death penalty, our pupils gained a deeper understanding of the evolution of criminal law and the societal attitudes toward crime and punishment.

One of the highlights of the trip was the chance for pupils to run a mock trial in a Crown Court. Playing various roles, Oakhamians were given the opportunity to bring their classroom lessons to life in a practical setting. The excitement was palpable as the trial unfolded, and once again, the defendant was found guilty by the jury! Well done to the pupils for throwing themselves into the action with enthusiasm and focus.

A special thank you to the staff at the National Justice Museum for their support and encouragement to really think deeply about the related topics. It was a great way to consolidate their learning and see first hand how the principles of law and justice operate within the context of a real courtroom.