History and Citizenship
Mock Trials at the Shire Hall Gallery
Between 1798 and 1991, the Shire Hall was the centre of justice for Staffordshire. Court One, the Crown Court, is now a registered museum and retains all its original fixtures and fittings. The Shire Hall Gallery now runs half day mock trial sessions for all Key Stages, Special Schools, PRUs, exchange students and Adult Learners. The Court seats up to 50 students, all of whom can be assigned a mixture of speaking and non-speaking roles. Trials may be given a historical or modern context and may be a scripted or improvised. You may also like to include an object handling session, tour of the Holding Cell or a talk on the history of the building! Filming and photography is allowed and costumes are provided for the judge and barristers. If you are taking part in a historic trial, we are also able to provide a list of cheap and simple suggestions for Victorian costume.
Court in Action
In partnership with QLS, the Shire Hall Gallery has developed two FREE 'Court in Action' packs which examine real trials and cases heard at the Shire Hall and include resources to print out or use on your whiteboard. Each pack includes seven lessons plans which can be used independently to examine key issues, or as a set to prepare for your own mock trial which you can choose to hold within your school or at the Shire Hall.
Key Stage 2: Elizabeth Buckley
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Elizabeth Buckley
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Our Key Stage 2 pack examines the case of Elizabeth Buckley, a young woman from a poor family accused of stealing a ring. The pack includes moral and ethical debate as well as contextualising class divisions in Victorian society and asking pupils to look at the differences between modern day and Victorian Stafford to create an awareness of change.
KS2 Worksheets, The Trial of Elizabeth Buckley|| (PDF, 727KB)
Key Stage 3: William Ellis
Our Key Stage 3 pack looks at the Chartist movement, and in particular the Hanley riots. The pack includes substantial background information for teachers, including transcripts of original newspaper articles and letters. There are strong links to resources relating to Chartism in Staffordshire, as well as an explanation of the movement as a whole and the pack examines William Ellis' role as a Chartist leader and his trial as a scapegoat following the rioting.
KS3 Teacher's Pack, The Trial of William Ellis|| (PDF, 2461KB)
KS3 Worksheets, The Trial of William Ellis|| (PDF, 177KB)
To arrange a visit, please contact Jackie Bradbury, Education and Outreach Co-Ordinator on 01785 278170 or jackie.bradbury@staffordshire.gov.uk||
For more information about crime and punishment click on the links below:
Victorian Crime and Punishment||
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