Students at Burntwood School can be justifiably proud of themselves after winning an inter-school mock trial competition last month.

A team of 15 year 8 pupils competed in the regional final of the Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition against other top schools on Saturday, May 16.

The team triumphed in a local heat at Wimbledon Magistrates’ court before progressing to the higher level at West London Magistrates’ Court in Hammersmith.

Sarah Brack, spokesman for the school, said: “[It] provides young people with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the legal rights and responsibilities and the role and workings of the criminal justice system.

“In taking part they develop personal skills in research, discussion, public speaking, analysis, communication and teamwork.”

The regional heat involved students taking on the roles of the prosecution and defence of two specially written criminal cases.

They tried their hand at playing lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff while their performances were judged by a panel of magistrates and district judge Justin Philips.

After several closely fought rounds of the competition, Burntwood School’s team was declared the winner and presented with a trophy, certificates and book tokens.

This year’s competition saw entries from 371 schools throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with 90 progressing to the regional final heats.

Burntwood is one of 18 schools to go on to the national final to be held in Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, June 20.

The school, in Burntwood Lane, Tooting, is a specialist science school for girls.

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