Sixth formers at Neale-Wade Academy became barristers on Saturday as part of the National Bar Mock Trial competition.

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade sixth formers become barristers during competitionNeale-Wade sixth formers become barristers during competition (Image: Archant)

During the contest students had to act as various legal personnel as well as witnesses and jurors in two cases they had been given to prepare.

The competition, which featured eight schools and was organised by the Citizenship Foundation, was held at Norwich Crown Court.

Barristers for the defence were Samuel Craigie and Kieran Williams and prosecution barristers were Paige Goodenough and Owen Cullum.

Jurors were Kara Stockbridge, Alexander Simmons, Maddie Pooley and Chloe Leeder.

The students had to act as either defence or prosecution in three rounds which were judged by working barristers who were acting as judges and scoring each school’s performance.

The winning schools were those who accumulated the highest team scores based on their individual performances throughout the trials.

Alex Dearing, of the school, said: “Of the three trials we competed in, we won one and lost the others but not without some exceptional performances from our witnesses Connor Higgins, Stephen Cobb, Brodie Lyon and Jess Rose who all did an outstanding job under some tough questioning.

“The experience gave all the students, including the current law students, a real insight into the workings of a crown court and how demanding each of the roles can be.

“Jaiden Brown did an incredible job as court clerk and the role of usher was done with real professionalism by Harry Stevens.

“The team did themselves and the academy proud and, although we did not manage to progress further this time, the way they conducted themselves despite their lack of any experience of the procedures was a pleasure to watch and be involved in.