• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

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Pupils to take part in mock trial competition this weekend

Pupils from a Northumberland school are to put their peers through their paces in a mock trial competition this weekend.

Year 8 pupils from Dr Thomlinson C of E Middle School, part of The Three Rivers Learning Trust, are currently preparing for the local heat of the Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition, which will take place at Newcastle Law Courts on Saturday (March 23rd).

The competition is part of the Young Citizens’ citizenship experiences programme, which aims to improve young people’s life skills, their understanding of the law and the justice system, and to appreciate that the law touches every aspect of their lives.

Headteacher Liam Murtagh explained: “The mock trials take students out of the classroom and place them in courtrooms, where they play the key roles involved in a criminal trial from clerks and legal advocates to ushers and jurors, using real cases that have been specially adapted for effective learning.

“The team is made up of 13 roles and the competition involves a great deal of preparation and practice time within school. Our pupils are excited to be given the chance try a case against another school with the assistance of real life magistrates, legal advisers, court staff and other legal professionals.”

If successful at the weekend, Dr Thomlinson’s pupils will take part in the regional heats in May.

Young Citizens is an initiative of the Citizenship Foundation, a UK based charity that has been helping young people to make informed decisions, take responsible action in their lives and get ready to shape the world they live in by making a positive difference to the societies in which they live.

To find out more about the school and other opportunities it offers its pupils, visit drthomlinson.the3rivers.net.