Students were inspired to look at Law as a future career after an immersive three-day London trip.
Eighteen Haslingden Sixth Form A Level Law students got to take on roles in a mock trial held at The Royal Courts of Justice – everything from ushers to witnesses, barristers to accused.
Archie Hall, 18, and Maisie Bryant, 17, went head-to-head as defence and prosecution barristers at the mock murder trial.
Maisie, who wants to study Law and be a prosecutor, said: “There was a lack of evidence and the witnesses were not giving enough information, saying ‘no’ or that they couldn’t remember.”
In this instance, the jury, which was made up of teachers, decided the case had not been proven and acquitted the accused.
Archie said: “The trial was the best bit and it really gave you an understanding of how a court works.”
Archie’s mother is a Law lecturer, and he wants to continue to study Law at university and look at human rights work.
They also visited the Supreme Court and sat in on a live appeal case hearing, and also watched a live witness testimony in a murder case being heard at the Old Bailey.
Ben Albiston, 17, is keen on studying History at university and found the tour of the Houses of Parliament very interesting. Students watched the day’s business in the Commons and Lords.
All of the students then met Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Sarah Smith, who was asking their opinions as to whether there should be any restrictions on under-16s’ access to social media.
Maisie said, “The majority said it can have a negative effect on us because there is a lot of political content.”
Lucy Pegg, 18, said: “I liked talking to the MP because she was talking about things around our area.
“I want to do Law at university and I would like to defend criminal cases. I have previously sat through a murder trial at Preston when they were cross-examining at the end of the trial, so it was getting to the best bit.”
Her favourite part of the trip was seeing Wicked! at the Apollo Theatre.
They also went on a scary guided Jack the Ripper tour when they visited different locations where the murders took place and visited the Jack the Ripper Museum.
Ben said, “It was good and interesting, but a bit nasty.”
Haslingden Sixth Form offers a wide range of enrichment activities to enhance students’ learning experiences outside of the classroom. Applications for enrolment are now open.