Kirsty Brimelow KC revisited her former primary school in Chorley to help deliver a Speak for Success lesson
The Chair of the Bar Council, Kirsty Brimelow KC, returned to her former primary school in Chorley to help pupils develop communication skills through the Bar Council’s Speak for Success programme. Brimelow visited Whittle-le-Woods Church of England Primary School in Lancashire on 12 June, where she joined Year 6 teacher Tracey Holmes to deliver a lesson from the educational initiative.
During the two-hour session, Brimelow spoke to pupils about her experiences as a barrister, her time as a pupil at the school and how oracy skills form part of her daily professional life. Speak for Success is a collection of free teaching resources created by the Bar Council in partnership with teachers, barristers and the four Inns of Court. The programme is designed to help children aged seven to 11 develop communication skills and confidence while introducing them to the legal profession. All lessons are aligned with the curriculum in England and Wales.
As part of the visit, Brimelow and Holmes delivered an introductory session and a lesson entitled I couldn’t disagree more, which focuses on helping children learn how to disagree respectfully and politely. Brimelow also answered questions from pupils about her career and brought along a barrister’s wig and gown for children to try on.
Tracey Holmes said Brimelow’s involvement brought additional professional insight to the classroom and helped pupils engage with the subject matter. She said the resources were well-suited to the age group and provided opportunities for pupils to develop their oracy skills while learning about the role of a barrister.
Holmes added that she would recommend the materials to other Key Stage 2 teachers seeking to strengthen pupils’ confidence and competence in spoken communication. Brimelow said the visit had been a memorable return to her former school and noted that many of the pupils would soon attend Balshaw’s High School, which she also attended.
She said she was impressed by the pupils’ engagement with the lessons and hoped the experience would encourage them to think ambitiously about their futures. Brimelow also reflected on the socio-economic barriers that can exist to a career at the Bar, noting that her parents left school and entered work at the age of 15.
She said social mobility remains a key focus and described Speak for Success as a way of introducing primary school pupils both to the profession of a barrister and to the importance of communication skills. The Bar Council Chair called on barristers across England and Wales to share the Speak for Success resources with local state primary schools to help inspire future generations and promote access to the profession.