Heywood students are up in court

Students from Siddal Moor Sports College in Heywood are in court to participate in the North West regional heat of the Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition 2008/09.

The Siddal Moor students will be joining pupils from five other schools from across the North West for the competition, which aims to introduce young people to the legal system in an innovative and exciting way.

The event, at Rochdale, Middleton & Heywood Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (16 May), is organised by the Citizenship Foundation in partnership with the Magistrates’ Association and local magistrates and court staff.

Teams of 12-14 year olds will take on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff in two cases – one about a public order offence and the other an aggravated vehicle taking case. Competing against other schools in a real courtroom, as prosecution and defence, their performance will be judged by real magistrates and legal professionals.

A spokesperson for the Citizenship Foundation said: "As well as being an interesting and engaging opportunity to explore specific legal issues using active learning, the competition, which is in its 15th successful year, enables teachers to deliver key elements of the citizenship curriculum, whilst developing pupils’ skills of analysis, communication and team work."

88 schools in England and Wales have gone through to the regional finals. 18 of these schools will go forward to the National Final to be held on 20 June at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. The winning court reporter and court artist will also be announced at the final.

A participating teacher stated: “It’s an excellent idea for promoting understanding of the legal system, especially of individual rights in the Magistrates’ Court and of fostering confident formal speaking and a competitive spirit."