Eleena Misra KC (left) is a leading employment and equalities barrister at Old Square Chambers and is Chair of the Bar Council’s Law Reform Committee. Rebecca Tuck KC (right) is a barrister specialising in employment and discrimination law at Cloisters.
In this blog, Eleena and Rebecca share how our Speak for Success resources helped spark confidence and curiosity amongst primary school students.
Eleena: On 21 May, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of primary school children to Temple Church, the Royal Courts of Justice and Middle Temple for a day designed to introduce them to the legal profession and develop their advocacy skills using the Bar Council’s Speak for Success resources.
As a relatively new Bencher at Middle Temple, taking on these duties has been both a privilege and a pleasure. The visit was made even more special by the warmth shown to the children throughout the day. They absolutely loved the Royal Courts of Justice and Middle Temple, and it was wonderful to see them made to feel so welcome.
Rebecca: Following our tour of Temple Church and the Royal Courts of Justice, we headed to Middle Temple, where the children took part in activities using the Speak for Success resources. Undoubtedly the highlight was the ‘Question Quest’ lesson.
As a barrister I was in my ‘am dram’ best place as Mummy Bear, ad-libbing to my heart’s content. Once the students had collaborated on the information they thought they might want and the difference between open and closed questions, I faced some pretty stiff cross-examination from the Goldilocks team.
The exercise immediately captured the children’s imagination and introduced them to the core skills of oracy.
Eleena: I then asked the children what jobs they thought required the ability to ask questions and listen carefully to the answers.
Their insight was impressive, not just thinking of police officers and journalists but also teachers, medics, and salespeople.
The Bar Council materials were the perfect way to introduce children aged 7 to 11 to simple but important concepts such as listening carefully and critically, asking open and closed questions, and looking for gaps in evidence.
The resources proved to be excellent, adaptable and age-appropriate, enabling every child to participate with confidence. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and one Year 6 pupil was so inspired by the experience that she left saying she wanted to pursue a career at the Bar.
Rebecca: The event was a powerful reminder that advocacy and oracy skills have value far beyond the courtroom. We finished our busy morning with lunch in Middle Temple Hall.
What is Speak for Success?
The Speak for Success resources made it easy to introduce advocacy in a way that was engaging and memorable. Through encouraging children to question, listen, analyse evidence and think critically, they provide an accessible (and fun!) introduction to the work of the Bar whilst helping young people develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
If our experience showed anything, it is that even a single morning can spark curiosity, build confidence and perhaps even inspire a future barrister.
Speak for Success is a series of free teacher resources for use in classrooms for pupils aged 7-11. They’re aligned with the national curriculum in England and Wales as well as the Voice21 oracy framework.
The Bar Council is encouraging barristers to share the Speak for Success resources with their local primary schools, to help bring this wonderful career to life and to inspire our future generations of barristers. You can use this template letter to reach out to primary schools in your network.
A collective effort
The success of the day was only possible because of the generosity and enthusiasm of so many people.
We are deeply grateful to Master Louise McCullough, Joanna Gillan, Dame Eleanor Sharpston, Master Treasurer Bernard Richmond KC, the Bar Council and everyone at Middle Temple for making the children feel so welcome.
A special thank you also goes to schoolteacher and school council leader Sophie Pollitt, who delighted the children by dressing as counsel during the advocacy exercise.