Schools prepare for mock trials
Several West Berkshire schools will compete in a national mock trial competition in the coming weeks
SCHOOLS in West Berkshire will be competing in a national mock trial competition which sees them taking on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff.
Teams of 12 to 14 year olds from over 400 schools across the country will take part in the Citizenship Foundation's Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition which will see them hearing a case of domestic violence.
The teams compete in a real courtroom, with the West Berkshire schools visiting Reading Crown Court on March 5 and March 12 for their first round of hearings.
The schools in West Berkshire which are taking part are John O'Gaunt Community Technology College in Hungerford, Trinity School in Newbury, Kennet School in Thatcham and The Willink School in Burghfield Common.
The competition, which is now in its 17th year, is organised nationally by the Citizenship Foundation and the Magistrates' Association, local magistrates and court staff and is funded by Her Majesty's Courts Service.