What People Say

“Dear Pete, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for showing our school around the prison.
Our students got so much from the visit. You, SP and Jordy were all really professional and made such an impact on them. The boys are still talking about their time with SP and Jordy who they felt they bonded with.
It was pitched perfectly for our students and, has been one of the most impacting visits we have been on in years..”
Jeanette, icollege, Newbury

“What I learned from the trip to Crown Court was do not be tempted to do drugs or other crimes and focus on staying out of trouble.”
Pupil

“Have learnt not to do drugs because it makes you look older than you are and it can ruin your life. I felt a bit sorry for him because he needs help.”
Pupil

“I attended Huntercombe prison with three students who were getting into trouble in the local community. When we attended prison as part of the Getting Court programme, the young people in my care found the visit very worthwhile. The prison staff were very approachable and happy to answer any questions the young people had. The inmates were honest but also reflective about their experience of prison life. Our young people really found the trip educational and now fully understand the impact of their negative choices and what will happen if they enter the criminal justice system.
One commented “I am not going to prison.” They were still talking about the visit weeks afterwards at school so this shows the impact of the intervention.”
The Bicester School

“I just wanted to write to thank you so much for coming into school yesterday. I know from conversations today how much the students gained from the experience and how powerfully it’s helped to shape their thinking about law, criminal justice and rehabilitation. There’ll be so many thoughts for them to play around with and I know that it will add considerable nuance to their understanding.
Thank you for making it possible: we’re really grateful for your continued support.”
The Cherwell School

“Students are fascinated to see into a world that could become part of their reality. ‘Getting Court’ is a fantastic opportunity and a cautionary tale for us all. We can make a difference!”
Gosford Hill School

“Your visit to us was very informative. Stephen was brilliant in articulating his experiences of the judicial system and the impact that his offending had on him and his family. He clearly had hopes and dreams and wanted to make changes. He appeared honest, insofar as he knew that he faced some challenges on his release, in returning to London and his old ‘stomping ground’. Some of our students were too anxious to visit the prison with us, some have impending court cases and are mindful of the possible outcomes. Therefore, Stephen and Pete (as a member of staff) coming to us in school was hugely beneficial, the message delivered was ‘real’ but it was delivered in a safe space, to those who need to know, and to hear about, some of the consequences of their choices. As teachers we do not have the same credibility.”
Meadowbrook College

“Thank you for the support you have given me. The GC project is an amazing programme… you really are making a difference to the community and all the kids you’re helping. I hope that at some point I can go back to one of the schools and talk about the progress I have made whilst being out of prison.”
Schools project mentor, former inmate at HMP Huntercombe

“These kids that come into prison with you are really lucky. If there’d been a programme like this for me I might not have ended up in here.”
Schools project mentor, HMP Huntercombe

“Dear Pete, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for showing our school around the prison.
Our students got so much from the visit. You, SP and Jordy were all really professional and made such an impact on them. The boys are still talking about their time with SP and Jordy who they felt they bonded with.
It was pitched perfectly for our students and, has been one of the most impacting visits we have been on in years..”
Jeanette, icollege, Newbury

“What I learned from the trip to Crown Court was do not be tempted to do drugs or other crimes and focus on staying out of trouble.”
Pupil

“Have learnt not to do drugs because it makes you look older than you are and it can ruin your life. I felt a bit sorry for him because he needs help.”
Pupil

“I attended Huntercombe prison with three students who were getting into trouble in the local community. When we attended prison as part of the Getting Court programme, the young people in my care found the visit very worthwhile. The prison staff were very approachable and happy to answer any questions the young people had. The inmates were honest but also reflective about their experience of prison life. Our young people really found the trip educational and now fully understand the impact of their negative choices and what will happen if they enter the criminal justice system.
One commented “I am not going to prison.” They were still talking about the visit weeks afterwards at school so this shows the impact of the intervention.”
The Bicester School

“I just wanted to write to thank you so much for coming into school yesterday. I know from conversations today how much the students gained from the experience and how powerfully it’s helped to shape their thinking about law, criminal justice and rehabilitation. There’ll be so many thoughts for them to play around with and I know that it will add considerable nuance to their understanding.
Thank you for making it possible: we’re really grateful for your continued support.”
The Cherwell School

“Students are fascinated to see into a world that could become part of their reality. ‘Getting Court’ is a fantastic opportunity and a cautionary tale for us all. We can make a difference!”
Gosford Hill School

“Your visit to us was very informative. Stephen was brilliant in articulating his experiences of the judicial system and the impact that his offending had on him and his family. He clearly had hopes and dreams and wanted to make changes. He appeared honest, insofar as he knew that he faced some challenges on his release, in returning to London and his old ‘stomping ground’. Some of our students were too anxious to visit the prison with us, some have impending court cases and are mindful of the possible outcomes. Therefore, Stephen and Pete (as a member of staff) coming to us in school was hugely beneficial, the message delivered was ‘real’ but it was delivered in a safe space, to those who need to know, and to hear about, some of the consequences of their choices. As teachers we do not have the same credibility.”
Meadowbrook College

“Thank you for the support you have given me. The GC project is an amazing programme… you really are making a difference to the community and all the kids you’re helping. I hope that at some point I can go back to one of the schools and talk about the progress I have made whilst being out of prison.”
Schools project mentor, former inmate at HMP Huntercombe

“These kids that come into prison with you are really lucky. If there’d been a programme like this for me I might not have ended up in here.”
Schools project mentor, HMP Huntercombe