Schools Project

Our new Schools Project is aimed at taking public legal education into schools. It is a proactive initiative, raising awareness of young peoples’ rights and responsibilities. The project is currently being researched and is intended to be delivered in schools in and around Glasgow by September 2011.

The purpose of the project is to provide young people with information on the difference between criminal and civil law, employment law, consumer law, the Children’s Hearing System, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Sectarianism. Considerable research has shown that there is a great need for young people to be educated about their rights and responsibilities within these areas.

It is hoped that the information will be delivered through a series of interactive sessions which will include, mock trials, quizzes and negotiation sessions. By delivering it in this manner, we hope that this will be the most engaging, stimulating and efficient experience for the young people involved. Additionally, we hope that students will develop knowledge and understanding of the law, participate in group and whole-class debates and discussions, and work individually and in groups, taking on different roles and responsibilities.

We hope that students will also gain:

  • social competences, such as empathy, caring, communication skills and resistance skills;
  • problem solving, including feelings of efficacy, high self-esteem, a sense of independence and impulse control;
  • a sense of purpose and future through planning and goal setting and belief in the future;
  • an insight and interest in the legal field; and
  • knowledge about and a desire to undergo a university education

    • For more information on the Schools Project or any other aspect of the Law Clinic, please email enquiries@lawclinic.org.uk.

    The Schools Project has given successful presentations at Hermitage Academy and Govan High School. These took the form of a mock trial and a session regarding the law surrounding cyber-bullying. Below are testimonials from the schools we have visited:

    The Law Clinic was a great experience that was enjoyed by all pupils. The experience opened their eyes to the importance of the law and the workings of the court. Speaking to and interacting with students studying Law at University was a big bonus for them.

    (Mhairi Stewart, Head of Social Subjects at Hermitage Academy)

    A team of students from the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic, led by Rachel Leggett recently did two sessions with S2 pupils in Govan High School. Both sessions were designed to raise young people's awareness of the place and importance of the law in our individual lives and in society in general. The first session took the form of a mock trial which actively involved the young people role playing a courtroom scenario. The second session, through games and a quiz, focused on cyber-bullying and misuse of modern ICT and social networking sites. The pupils responded well to the fact that both sessions were active, enjoyable and educational. They interacted well with their student 'teachers' and everyone agreed that the sessions were a success because the pupils had learned important things about the law which they had not known about before.

    (Kevin Sweeney, Deputy Head at Govan High School)