Ashfield students spend day in court in Justice Project visit

This week students from Ashfield School Sixth Form visited the Justice Project, giving them the opportunity to see a working court and have a question and answer session with Judge John Burgess and colleagues.
Students from Ashfield School sixth form. Photo: Nottinghamshire PoliceStudents from Ashfield School sixth form. Photo: Nottinghamshire Police
Students from Ashfield School sixth form. Photo: Nottinghamshire Police

The Justice Project is a partnership-driven initiative between Nottinghamshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, Nottinghamshire County Council and local schools to engage young people, providing an introduction to the justice system.

The aims is to increase their understanding of the consequences of their actions, promoting good citizenship within local communities and improve educational attainment by developing experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

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The day itself gave the opportunity for Ashfield School Sixth Form students to get an overview of how a court works, what a case entails and a chance to get a real feel for what it may be like being on the wrong side of the dock.

It also encourages young people to have aspirations in what they could achieve and aim for.

The day began with a brief description of how the court room was set out and where everyone was positioned. This was followed by a welcome from Judge John Burgess and an opportunity for the students to ask him some questions, where they were asked to prepare in advance.

Questions included subjects such as the impact cases can have on the mental wellbeing of those working in the court, and whether the Judge felt he took his work home with him, due to the nature of what he sees on a day-to-day basis.

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Following this session, the students then went on to sit in the public gallery of a live court in action.

The judge who was hearing the case, Judge Rafferty, cleared the court in between his next case, where he also spent some time talking to the students and welcoming them and sharing his experiences.

The next case resumed which, due to its nature, meant the students got an insight into a police officer being cross examined.

After the session, Court Manager Sian Back and Judge Burges said “The students were extremely attentive in both sessions. They asked interesting questions and it was clear they were well thought through.

“They were a credit to themselves and their school.”

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The students were asked to provide retrospective feedback on their experiences and which parts they found the most useful, interesting, and which they were surprised about, with many commenting on how the judges “humanised themselves and had genuine, down-to-earth conversations” and how they “cope with what they experience” on a daily basis.

The students also commented on the new things they had learned, including that a judge can’t overrule a jury’s decision, how long defendants can be kept in custody prior to appearing in court, and valued the experience of seeing a police officer being cross-examined.

Helen Ridley, partnerships officer from Nottinghamshire Police said: “I am really pleased that the students were able to take away so much from the experience. Their enthusiasm, genuine interest and thirst for knowledge is to be commended.

“Working within local communities and helping to break down those barriers between the police and young people will always come with challenges. With the help of initiatives such as the Justice Project, and continuing ongoing work within the Citizens in Policing Department, we will strive to overcome these obstacles. I look forward to working with many more schools, youth organisations and our partner agencies within the county.”

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Leah Sareen, programme officer from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities team commented: “I was hugely impressed with the Ashfield School students. Their behaviour in the court room was very professional.

“I wish them all the best for their future pursuits.”