Incorporating these resources into teaching
School pupils may have enquiries concerning the legal profession when considering their career plans and their choices for subjects, as well as when considering admission to universities. Pupils may be confused about the role of barristers and be unsure of the difference between solicitors and barristers. They may have misconceptions about legal representation in courts because, for example, they have watched TV shows in jurisdictions where there is no distinction between solicitors and barristers, such as in the United States. You can guide them to these resources to inform them of the role of barristers, and to clarify any uncertainties they may have.
These resources will be useful for pupils in employability and careers classes. They can be signposted to pupils who are conducting their own research and can be of use to employers or careers advisors who wish to understand more about the legal profession. You may wish to explain that becoming a barrister is one of several careers within the legal profession and there are fewer barristers than solicitors. This means that it can be a very competitive process to becoming a barrister; therefore, it is important that pupils consider obtaining as high grades as possible.
At a later stage at university, if students are keen on pursuing a career in law, they can decide whether they would like to pursue a career at the Bar, or as a different type of legal professional. Therefore, the suggestions below apply not only to the Bar, but to the legal profession in general.
Law as a subject in the nations
Law is not part of the National Curriculum of England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland; but pupils may undertake law at GCSE or A Level. However, it is not necessary for students to undertake these subjects for a career in law.
There may be some capacity to teach about law, using these resources, through educating citizenship under the National Curriculums. Although there are differences in how citizenship is taught across the four nations, in England for example, students learn about the role of law, including developing a ‘sound knowledge and understanding of the role of law and the justice system in our society and how laws are shaped and enforced’. The role of barristers and other legal professionals can be taught here, as these are the individuals who uphold the rule of law within the justice system. Similar consideration can be given to teaching about the legal profession in citizenship classes in the other jurisdictions.
Guidance notes for teachers and educators on these resources