Forres Academy pupils set for mock Supreme Court debate
Pupils from Forres Academy will this week travel to the UK’s highest court, after becoming the only school in Scotland selected for a prestigious national debating programme.
19 pupils from S4-S6 will visit the UK Supreme Court in London on Friday 26 June, to take part in the Supreme Court Debate Day, with only 10 schools from across the UK taking part.
During the visit they will tour the court, work alongside legal professionals and debate real cases previously heard by the Supreme Court in one of its courtrooms.
The pupils will spend the day examining cases involving competing rights and freedoms, preparing arguments with support from Supreme Court lawyers before presenting their views in a formal courtroom setting.
The visit has been supported by a combination of pupil fundraising and sponsorship from local businesses. A coffee morning held at St Leonard's Church Hall on 6 June raised £1,280.60 through a raffle, bake sale and other activities.
Additional support is being provided by local law firms R&R Urquhart and Grigor & Young, with each donating £500, and Cockburns Solicitors contributing £100. Forres Academy’s Parent Council has also made a £250 donation.
Joshua Nicol, one of the pupils attending, said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to be part of the Debate Day at the United Kingdom Supreme Court. I have been involved with Forres Academy's Debating Society since it was restarted and have really enjoyed developing my debating skills and competing in competitions. This will take things to another level by giving us the chance to debate issues that have actually been considered by the Supreme Court.”
Jan Sinclair, Head Teacher at Forres Academy said: “Being selected as the only school in Scotland to take part is a tremendous achievement and we couldn’t be more proud. We are also incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the pupils' fundraising efforts and to the local businesses whose generosity has helped make this experience possible.”
Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “To be chosen as one of only ten schools in the United Kingdom for this programme is something the pupils should be incredibly proud of. This is a rare opportunity to step inside the Supreme Court, explore how important decisions are made and put their debating skills into practice in a real courtroom.”