Students experience mock trial at Bradford Crown Court

Students at Immanuel College in Idle studying Citizenship for their GCSEs were among nearly 500 pupils across the Bradford district who were given the opportunity to take part in the National Justice Museum sessions being run at Bradford Combined Court both this week and last week.

Sofia Bonallie plays the role of prosecutor in a mock trial (Image: Newsquest)

His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose, the Circuit Judge for Bradford, has been keen to see the students taking part in the sessions and he met with the Immanuel College students to speak with them about law and what the courts do for the community before the pupils acted out a mock trial.

"I once sat where you are sitting now," Judge Rose said to the students. "I didn't go to a posh school and I never imagined where my life would take me.

Logan Hall plays the role of defence barrister in a mock trial (Image: Newsquest)

"But I could see your future working in these courts as judges, solicitors, barristers, clerks, ushers or prison officers. Any of those jobs is within your grasp if you want them but to get here you need to work hard.

"We are dealing with people who have done wrong and some outcomes are not good ones, but if you are a victim this court will do what it can to give you justice."

Starla Sharp plays the role of a judge in a mock trial (Image: Newsquest)

With Judge Rose's words fresh in their minds, the Immanuel College students acted out a mock trial in which they took on the roles of judge, defendant, prosecutor, defence barrister, clerk, ushers, witnesses and jurors.

Vicky Almond, Immanuel College teacher who organised the students' visit to court, said: "These students have never been inside a court. They've been really excited about this visit.

Eva Brown plays the role of defendant in a mock trial at Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

"Some of these students have done a lot of research in class about their roles in the mock trial and they've gone home to do a lot of preparation for this."

Immanuel College teacher Matthew Phillips also said: "It's been amazing for them. There's only so much you can do in a classroom.

Immanuel College students experience a mock trial at Bradford Combined Court (Image: Newsquest)

"Being here has given them a sense of seriousness and real-world experience."

Kath Downs, learning manager for the National Justice Museum, added: "This is really valuable for these young people.

Immanuel College take to the witness stand in a mock trial (Image: Newsquest)

"We hope this will be really inspiring for them and teachers them that no matter what your background is if you work hard at school there are no barriers for you."

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