Throughout the morning, they engaged in conversations with judges and magistrates, gaining invaluable insights into the complexities of criminal law. Students observed courtroom proceedings, including defendants, heard evidence and statements being given and even watched a jury being sworn in.

The experience brought their classroom learning to life and deepened their understanding of the judicial process. Mrs Butler, Criminology Teacher and trip organiser, said: “Opportunities like this make criminology more quantifiable by allowing students to experience the justice system first-hand. Moving beyond classroom theory, they can witness real legal processes and gain meaningful insight through discussions with judges and seeing courtroom practice.”

From a school perspective, enrichment experiences like this can significantly enhance student engagement by bringing criminology to life in a meaningful and practical way. For some learners, these experiences may even influence future career aspirations. By observing the justice system in action, students gain a clearer insight into legal and criminal justice professions, which can inspire interest in roles such as solicitors, barristers, police officers or forensic specialists.

However, it’s not solely about the law itself as by engaging with judges and court staff, students gain insight into the human dimension of the legal system - how decisions are reached, the ethical dilemmas involved, and the real impact of justice on individuals and society. Additionally, observing live cases and evaluating evidence helps to strengthen critical thinking, analytical ability, and confidence, key skills for any career that requires problem-solving and informed decision-making.

Whether students ultimately enter law enforcement, criminology research, social work, or legal advocacy, these experiences provide a strong foundation for their future.

“It was interesting to see how defendants build their cases and how juries naturally take in reactions from people in the courtroom to help build their final collective decision.” Gilly.A

“It was really fun getting to see what happens in a courtroom and how different cases are heard.” Christina.K

“It was a surreal and enlightening experience to witness real cases in the public gallery of the courtrooms.” Olivia.B

“I think going on the court trip was a good experience to see how cases are dealt with and understand the whole process. It was very interesting.” Deborah.L

“I enjoyed visiting the court very much, and it felt unreal seeing cases happening in real time. I would definitely love to go back again to see more.” Micah.M

“The visit to Basildon Court was an interesting experience to see how court cases are processed and handled.” Ani.G

“Going to the court was an amazing experience. Getting to know how the courts work and seeing people get sentenced was a great opportunity to understand how judges make their decisions.” Angel.T

“The court trip was very educational and really opened my eyes to the kinds of people in this world. It has also given me insight into the kind of job I would like to do in the future.” Juanita.C