Nottingham Justice Court Visit - Year 8

As part of their unit of work on "Murder Mystery" Year 8 visited Nottingham Justice Courts to get a feel for investigating a murder and to give them experience for stories.

The visit was divided - a tour of the prison and acting in a 'mock trail' (in court costumes) with a debate about whether hanging was a good method of punishment.

The horrifying reality was that England had this form of punishment just over 40 years ago!

As we walked through the cells we saw exactly what conditions were like - certainly not clean, warm or comfortable.  In 1800 crimes were punished severely.  For example, if you swore at a policeman or stole from a shop you could be flogged, imprisoned, deported to Australia or hanged.

It made us think - what would the world be like if rules of long ago came back?!!

We thoroughly enjoyed it - go again?  Oh yes, we'd love to!

 

Here are some comments Year 8 made-

 

"There were real criminals in cells!" (Luke, about the actors posing as criminals)

 

". . . the turnkey's wife was scary"  (Kim)

 

"the day went way too quick"  (Michael)

 

"I loved the role-play.  I was the judge."  (Holly)