A group of Burnham-On-Sea students who became lawyers and court officials for a day won two out of three cases in a mock trial held at the weekend.
Students from Highbridge’s King Alfred School Sixth Form took part in the National Bar Mock Trial Competition at Plymouth’s Combined Court.
Jonathan Gaskell, Head of Sixth Form, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The competition offers the students a chance to learn the roles of court officials and legal representatives by preparing both defence and prosecution cases.”
“Although the cases and the trial were ‘mock’, the students were judged by professional advocates and circuit judges.”
He added: “This is only the second year the school has participated in the competition so for the students to have won two of their three cases against other more experienced schools in the south west is a fantastic achievement.”
While the team consisted of a small group of jurors and a court reporter, the real highlights this year were the performances of the witnesses, Millie Taylor playing a drug addict, Ceri Plested a police officer and Ben Hester a student.
There were also four barristers – Emily Sanders, Frankie Fowell, Liam Hulme and Alec Cockram – while Martin Hewlett made a very fine court clerk and court usher.
“All the team deserve great credit for representing the school with honours and they in turn are very appreciative of the time and effort that Mrs Knaresborough put in while coordinating the preparations for the event,” added Jonathan Gaskell.
