National Justice Museum (North West)

What will students see and do?

Teachers on the hunt for things to do in Manchester with pupils should look no further than the National Justice Museum North West. This immersive, hands-on experience makes for one of the best school trips in the UK.

This authentic Manchester crime museum offers students a genuine experience with law and order via a wide range of programmes that are hosted on the campus of Manchester University by the University’s own team of learning specialists. They also lead activities out of the Greater Manchester Police Museum (which occupies a beautiful building that was once home to the 1879 Northern Quarter Police Station), Manchester Crown Court, Crowne Square, Burnley Combined Court and Bolton University’s Moot Court.

Students can attend courtroom workshops that last up to two hours. Alternatively, multiple programmes across other venues can be packaged together so you and your students can make a day of it.

On-site experiences include:

– Motion to Appeal (KS5) – contemporary appeal case with three themes to choose from

– Courtroom Workshops (KS4) – mock trial with sentencing debate based on a contemporary case

– University and the Law and Futures in Law (KS3) – a visit to moot court (at either University of Manchester or University of Bolton) for students to speak with real law undergraduates/graduates to get acquainted with legal careers and progression pathways

Tour and Play (KS2) – take a one-hour guided tour of the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Museum, then have a one-hour dress-up and role-play (as courtroom characters) session

Courtroom Workshop (KS2) – mock court trial about contemporary issues like cyber bullying, antisocial behaviour and hate crime

Crime and Punishment (KS2) – a one-hour guided tour of the GMP Museum with an emphasis on crime and punishment followed by a mock 1895 magistrates court

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (KS1/2) – students learn about the importance of the 999 system and the roles of first responders like police officers, firefighters and paramedics, and they will be allowed to handle real pieces of their equipment

– Characters in Court (KS1/2) – interactive workshop that explores the different roles that people fill in the courtroom; KS2 pupils will be allowed to create their own court case

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

The National Justice Museum provides a wide range of student activities for Key Stages 1-5, and each one is fully linked to the curriculum.

Visiting students can role-play as judges, barristers, defendants, witnesses and jurors, which aids in building communication skills, confidence and leadership. They will be asked to refer to key texts and archive materials in order to re-enact a case, which boosts literacy and provides contextual historical knowledge.

Every one of the Museum’s programmes is geared towards increasing pupils’ analytical and critical thinking skills, an improved understanding of the UK’s past and present legal and justice systems, more detailed knowledge of different courtroom roles, and an understanding of their place in society as responsible citizens. The exercises in which they participate will also improve their skills of public speaking and debate, and they may even spark an interest in a career in the law.

Being introduced to, and putting into practice, key legal concepts like diminished capacity and freedom of religion also ties in with subjects such as philosophy, psychology, sociology and history.

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

Full risk assessments for each of the Museum’s venues are available for download from the website. Furthermore, the Museum’s bookings team sends a relevant risk assessment to groups upon confirmation of their arrangements.

All venues have a designated first-aider on staff.

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