Pupils spend a day in the dock (From Gazette Series)

Pupils spend a day in the dock

PRIMARY school pupils from Wotton-under-Edge found themselves in the dock this week.

However, the British School's visit to Stroud Magistrates' Court on Tuesday was not for a real case but part of the Magistrates in the Community Mock Trial Competition.

"It is an excellent experience for the children. They get to see what goes on in a real court and be a part of it," said Paul Hiatt, headteacher of the British School.

Now in its fifth year, the competition, organised by Stroud and Mid Glos Education and Business Partnership, allowed pupils to experience what life as a magistrate judge is like and how a magistrates' court works.

Pupils were given the chance to pretend being magistrate judges, defence and prosecution barristers, the accused, witnesses, court artists and court reporters.

This year the case being tried was about graffiti and the 22 schools involved had to battle it out in the presence of a real magistrate.

"Children get a real taste of a court in operation," said Carol Endacott, co-ordinator at Stroud and Mid Glos Education and Business Partnership. "The competition gives the children a chance to think about the community they live in and the consequences their actions can have."

Mr Hiatt said the competition also allows pupils to develop theory they learn in the classroom.

He said: "The whole exercise allows the children to develop good debating and questioning skills. It also involves literacy and numeracy.

"And because the children get an enormous amount of enjoyment out of it they learn more from it."

The 14 pupils from the British School did Wotton proud this week and walked away with the title for best court reporter. Best court artist went to Amberley Parochial School and Chalford Hill Primary School was announced the overall winner.

Other primary schools involved in the competition from the Gazette area were Cam Everlands, Slimbridge, Coaley and Stone with Woodford.