The Second and Third Form Colloquium groups travelled to the National Justice Museum in Nottingham last week. The museum is housed in a former Victorian courtroom, prison, and police station. The courtrooms date back to the 14th century and the gaol to at least 1449.
Pupils spent the morning learning about how the concept of justice has changed over the years, and the various types of punishment that were handed down historically, such as the stocks or the pillory, the scolds bridle and transportation from the country.
In the afternoon they carried out a mock trial based on a real historical case. They donned the wigs and robes, and sat on the bench and in the docks as a judge, an accused, and a jury. The defence and prosecution teams had to quickly think on their feet to make their case, and witnesses were given a suitably tense grilling by both the barristers.
