South Thames College was proud to welcome Dawn Gibbons, Diversity Community Relations Magistrate for South West and Central London, to deliver an inspiring guest lecture that evolved into an unforgettable live brief for our Criminal Law Pathways students.
Returning to her former college, Dawn delivered a powerful session titled “Empowering Young Citizens to Become Magistrates”, sharing her journey into the judiciary and championing greater diversity within the justice system. Appointed by Baroness Carr and Dame Philippa Whipple, Dawn spoke passionately about creating opportunities for young people and those from under-represented communities to consider becoming Magistrates.
What began as a presentation quickly evolved into a unique work experience opportunity.
Following the talk, our Level 3 BTEC Applied Law students were invited to attend guided visits to Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court as part of a structured live brief. Students observed real hearings from the public gallery, including cases involving domestic violence, drugs, harassment, assault and other serious matters. This gave learners rare, first-hand insight into how the criminal justice system operates beyond the classroom.
After each visit, students took part in reflective discussions, analysing the cases they observed and considering sentencing decisions, courtroom procedure, and the role of Magistrates. They provided thoughtful feedback on their experiences, demonstrating maturity, professionalism and a deeper understanding of justice in practice.
This meaningful employer engagement forms part of our commitment to delivering real-world learning experiences that prepare students for careers within the legal sector.
We extend a huge thank you to Dawn for her continued dedication and support of our learners. Her commitment does not stop here; she will also be visiting Merton College to engage Criminology students and plans to continue supporting our learners annually as they explore pathways into the legal profession.
This live brief truly brought the law to life, from the lecture theatre to the courtroom, empowering our students to see themselves as the future of justice.
