Sixth Form Courses
This is all about developing confidence in speaking - in different situations – from thinking and responding on your feet, to preparing and delivering a role or a debate speech.
It is also about learning about the legal system and getting the opportunity to take part in a trial in a crown court.
The first half of the year is taken up with the National Bar Mock Trial. This involves a team of 15 students who take on all the roles in a Crown Court trial – lawyers, witnesses and legal staff and jury members. We are given two cases to defend and prosecute. We spend time in class preparing and practising and discussing the various lines of argument we could take. In the actual competition trial, our prosecution will face the defence team from another school and our defence will face another school’s prosecution etc. Hopefully, next year, we will get a barrister mentor as well.
The Mock Trial is great fun for anyone and is also great preparation for a Law degree.
After the Trial, we will focus on debating skills, using the Oxford Debating rules. This is a bit different from the usual school debates as the teams have 15 minutes to prepare a topic then have to deliver the debate. It also involves answering questions from the opposing side. Depending on numbers, several debates can be held simultaneously, so everyone is involved. All the skills needed will be taught in class. Obviously, the skills developed can also be used in the Sixth Form Debating Society debates.
Time Commitment
Mock trial and debate involves 2 hours a week taught lessons