PUPILS at Bradleys Both Primary School got first-hand experience of law by taking part in a mock trial.

Representatives from Walker Foster Solicitors, Tom Swindells and Jake Kelly, visited the school to prepare the pupils for the trial alongside class teacher Jane Hall.

The year six pupils were taught about how laws are made, different aspects of law and the consequences involved when laws were broken.

The mock case involved one of the pupils, Elliot, allegedly stealing a Mars bar from the local village store.

Every pupil was given a specific role and the trial took place in the school hall in front of an audience of year three, four and five pupils.

The prosecution and defence lawyers had to examine the witness statements and structure an argument in an attempt to convince the jury they had the strongest case.

Various witnesses were called to the stand and had to think on their feet in response to well-thought out questions.

After an original verdict of ‘not guilty’ was reached, a surprise new piece of evidence arose as a year five pupil stormed into the courtroom proclaiming "Stop the trial!"

He was holding the missing CCTV footage providing the condemning evidence needed to persuade the jury to overturn their verdict and reach a unanimous ‘guilty’ vote.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to bring real life and purposeful learning to the children’s curriculum," said headteacher Barry Rogers. "I was extremely impressed with how serious the children took their roles in the trial. The children thoroughly enjoyed their experience and learned so much about law.”

Mr Swindells, who acted as the judge for the trial, said: “I was very impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the children. Each of them had an important role to play, from prosecution lawyer to member of the jury and they all applied themselves diligently. We at Walker Foster were pleased to be involved in a project which was of benefit to the local community.”

Mr Rogers said benefits to the children included developing fundamental skills such as writing to persuade, understanding of British values, public speaking, information analysis and quick thinking under pressure. The process also emphasised the morals between right and wrong.