The Trial of Rex Redford
Since January, we’ve been bringing ‘The Trial of Rex Redford’ to primary schools across Glasgow.
This fun, interactive workshop encourages pupils to think about the Criminal Justice System through the story of Rex Redford – a fox accused of stealing from Mrs Nicholson’s bins.
Pupils take on the role of detectives on the case and are given the chance to interview Rex and other characters involved. Through open and honest conversations, they are challenged to reflect on the meaning of good or bad; right or wrong; innocent or guilty as they come to a verdict about Rex…
In the workshops so far, lots of important issues have been raised, such as the effects of familial imprisonment. Both pupils and teachers have gained an increased understanding of how the issue might impact classmates and other young people around them.
“As I was facilitating the workshop, an opportunity arose for teachers to learn more about their pupil’s experience and provided a rare opportunity to share their own views and opinions with their class. This resulted in a shift in power within the class offering pupils and teachers the space to reflect and disagree well.” (Rosie, workshop facilitator)
Pupils are encouraged to think about the reasons why people become involved in the Criminal Justice System and to consider the grey areas, not just the black and white.
“People look at people like they’re a bad person if they commit a crime but we don’t know why they did it. They may have had trauma or born into a family of crime or been neglected by someone they love.” (P7 Pupil)
Through drama, music and visual art, the workshops explore these issues in a way that’s both fun, immersive and age appropriate.
“The first thing that struck me at the end of today’s (fourth and final) workshop was how well put together each workshop is in leading to a really open and honest conversation around ideas of crime and punishment, good/bad and how that was interwoven with the lived experience of the young people in the class and also how Rosie would relate that to the different experiences we both have when we worked in Polmont and also through other work we engage with within the Criminal Justice System.” (Jack, workshop facilitator)
To find out more, or to book for your school, email admin@voxliminis.co.uk