A WOKINGHAM borough school has come up on top in a very unusual contest.
Earlier this month, more than 200 pupils aged between 12 and 14 joined volunteers and teachers at Reading Crown Court for the regional finals of the Magistrates Mock Trials.
Taking over all four courtrooms, the contest is organised by Young Citizens and Berkshire’s Magistrates Association.
The Berkshire schools had been narrowed down to a field of just six over heats held in the preceding months, and they were joined by two schools from outside Berkshire, as this was the Southern Regional Final.
Taking part were Emmbrook School, Wokingham; Wycombe High School, High Wycombe; The Holt School, Wokingham; Trinity School, Newbury; Charters School, Ascot; Glenthorne High School, Surrey; Kings Academy, Binfield; and Upton Court Grammar School, Slough.
The event is reliant on donations, and organised by the Berkshire Branch of the Magistrates Association with sponsorship from His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants and past High Sheriffs of Berkshire.
Additional funding came from Berkshire Freemasons to ensure there were refreshments for all participants, the third year it has done so.
Ahead of the final, the schools received details of the case they would be prosecuting and defending, switching stances halfway through the contest.
Team members filled every role in the trial process: magistrates, assisted by a genuine magistrate sitting on the bench with them, lawyers, court ushers, the defendant and witnesses.
At the end, an explanation of the law in the case and the guide to sentencing in the event of being found guilty, was given, helping complete the circle of knowledge gained by those who took part.
Once the teams had taken part in both trials the scores were collated from three volunteer magistrates, and the results announced.
The Emmbrook were winners with the Wycombe High School runners-up.
Each pupil taking part received a certificate of participation.
Lady Justice Andrews DBE, an Appeal Court Judge since October 2020, attended.
“I’ve had 30 years at the Bar, 10 years as a King’s Counsel (previously QC). Then I sat in the High Court for seven years, before becoming a Privy Councillor and an Appeal Court Judge. I feel that for young people to understand the rule of law in their country this Competition, just put simply, works,” she said.
“For the children to see how the roles work together during the competition is invaluable and it promotes civic responsibility.”
For next year’s potential applications, she said: “Go for it. It’s fun, you’ll learn a lot. You’ll pick up transferrable skills, effective communication is essential as a lawyer. Clear objectives and clear language will assist you in life. You may also spot a future ‘star’ who has no experience of law or the legal system.”
Lady Andrews then thanked the organisers and teachers for coaching the students and arranging the events and heats leading up to the regional final.
Also present, and supporting what would be the winning Team, Emmbrook School from Wokingham, was then borough mayor Cllr Caroline Smith.
“My daughter took part when she was at school, so when I got the invite to come, I jumped at it,” she said.
“How important it is to learn about the Court system. It also shows the benefits of having a really good barrister if you’re in a spot of bother.
“It’s a great experience for when they might choose to go on to university studies and will really be impressive on your UCAS application form. Learning is one thing. But the life experience this equips them with, helps you to acquire skills that are lifelong, such as debating and reasoning argument.”
For more information about the Young Citizens National Magistrates Mock Trials: https://smartlaw.org.uk/mock-trials/
For the Berkshire Magistrates Association and information for schools, students and parents about this Regional competition and how to enter: https://berkshiremocktrial.org.uk
