Year 6 Mock Trial Competition – A Day in Court!
An unforgettable day of learning, teamwork and achievement! There was an air of excitement and anticipation as 16 schools and 140 Year 6 students came together to take part in this year's Mock Trial Competition, where our young participants impressed everyone with their confidence, professionalism and enthusiasm, despite the soaring temperatures!
The case centred on Jo Stockwell, a 14-year-old youth accused of possessing a bladed article. Throughout the day, students took on the important roles of magistrates, legal advisers, prosecutors, defence advocates, witnesses and court staff, demonstrating remarkable poise, proficiency and teamwork. The aim of this scenario was to provide a safe, educational environment where pupils could explore the legal consequences and real-life impact of such issues.
Our young magistrates had the challenging responsibility of carefully examining all the evidence presented before reaching their verdict. They listened attentively to witness testimony, considered the legal arguments from both sides and weighed the facts thoughtfully together to make fair and balanced decisions. It was wonderful to see such strong critical thinking, excellent communication and teamwork on display throughout the day, with many students displaying skills worthy of future careers in the legal profession.
As the competition drew to a close, there was great anticipation as everyone gathered for the results. His Majesty's High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mr Mark Llewellin DL, handed out the awards. Every participating school celebrated success, with one pupil from each team receiving an Outstanding Performance Award, celebrating exceptional individual contributions throughout the day.
Congratulations to Stockport Grammar School, who were crowned this year's champions!
A huge well done also goes to Horwich Parish Primary, who proudly received the Runners-up Shield, with an incredibly close finish—just two points separated the top two schools, highlighting the exceptional standard of the competition.
We would like to thank all of the schools, students, and partnership agencies who participated in making this year’s Mock Trial Competition a success. As students transition to High School, it is particularly important to equip them with the knowledge and awareness to make safe and informed decisions. It was truly inspiring to see the dedication and commitment of all those involved in creating a safe and educational environment for our young people to learn about key issues with real life professionals.
Partnership agencies in attendance this year were:
· Greater Manchester Police
· Oasis Navigators - A youth-focused, violence reduction project
· Greater Manchester Travel Safe – focusing on prevention and engagement
· Early Break -advocacy support for young people and families facing substance misuse challenges
· Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service – Broughton’s Blue Watch ran a water safety exercise in the yard with their fire engine
· British Transport Police – Antisocial behaviour on the railways
We are also grateful to High Sheriff Mark Llewellen for taking the time to attend and hand out the prizes to the deserving winners. It is through continuing partnerships like these that we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of our future generations.
Adding to the excitement, we were delighted to welcome Granada Reports, who spent the day filming the event. Their report was broadcast on Tuesday 30th June, showcasing the incredible enthusiasm, talent and dedication of all those involved.
If you haven’t seen it yet, please follow the link below to watch the report and celebrate this fantastic event with us.
Thank you again to everyone who was involved in this year’s Mock Trial Competition. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
