School Tasking is a Street Law and research project created by the University of Warwick. The project aims to introduce Year 5 students to legal concepts, and the prospect of going to University. The name of the project also gives a clue as to the theme and style of the project, which is based on the television programme Taskmaster.
The project consists of four hour and a half sessions, the delivery pattern can be discussed with the school when planning the activity (i.e. weekly, fortnightly etc).
Over the four sessions, undergraduate law students, who lead the sessions, will introduce the children to legal concepts (examples of concepts from previous years below) and bring them to life through interactive games and activities.
Each child will be provided with a School Tasking Workbook to help guide them through the sessions. All other resources needed for the sessions will be provided by the session leaders.
Classes are divided into teams and compete against each other each week in a bid to be crowned their class School Tasking winners. There are also opportunities for high-scoring winning teams to go on to compete in the Regional and National rounds of the competition.
In the 2023/24 academic year, Queen Mary University of London hosted the South Regional Final, with one of our school teams progressing to the Champion of Champions Final in Warwick in June 2024.
The project is rolled out by universities across the entirety of the United Kingdom, with Queen Mary coordinating for the East London region. The project is specifically aimed at schools in less advantaged areas with specific eligibility criteria:
All Queen Mary University of London undergraduate law students participating on this project will have an up to date DBS check and will be supervised where possible by a member of the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre staff (also DBS checked).
Enquire about School Tasking for your class
I’ve learnt how to effectively and persuasively communicate to an audience, while keeping them engaged. It’s also increased my self confidence as I’ve never done something like this before. Also honed my organisational skills as I had to thoroughly prepare before each session.
School Tasking Student
It was a great experience I would love to do again. Having the assistance of the QMLAC through it was more than what I would have hoped for to begin with.
[the School Tasking Workbook] was great as a follow-up activity to consolidate their learning. The activities were also fun and the children thoroughly enjoyed it.
Year 5 Teacher
Students [running the sessions] coped very well. They were professional. Responded well to the children and their answers. Praised children when appropriate and made activities fun.
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