Wilmslow High students set the bar high

A group of students from Wilmslow High School are celebrating after winning this year's National Bar Mock Trial.

The Bar Mock Trial is a national competition where students fight a criminal trial. The judges - who are real recorders, circuit judges and High Court judges and Lords Justice of Appeal - then decide who has given the best performance.

2,730 students took part from 182 schools, competing in 18 regional heats all over England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Law teacher, Mrs Deborah Roussak said "With only 7 members, we were the smallest team in the competition. Evie Smith played three barristers' roles; both Juliet Cook and Emily Short doubled as witnesses (a nosy neighbour and an angry event assistant , barristers, a clerk and an usher; Amelia McDonald played two barristers; Sophie Lawlor played a witnesses (a belligerent office manager), a barrister and a clerk; the irrepressible Ella Sankey played three witnesses (a wounded footballer, a fitness instructor who's scared of dogs and an old lady who owns a gun) and an usher, and Charlie Keller played two witnesses (a gooseberry on Valentine's day and an old man who lives through his dog, Bouncer and his parrot, Captain Jack).

"The competition was fierce. We really weren't expecting to get through to the head-to-head between the two highest scoring teams.

"It therefore came as a shock; we were prosecuting King Edward VI (Handsworth), a leading grammar school which has won the competition in the past.

We nudged ahead of them comfortably. Our cross- examinations were clever, focused and didn't allow the witnesses an inch of manoeuvre; our speeches were well argued and beautifully pitched, holding the jury's interest even during the 'boring' legal bits.

Our witnesses had anticipated every question and had retorts ready for everything that was fired at them.

Lord Leveson, President of the Queen's Bench, head of Criminal Justice and chair of the Leveson Inquiry into British press practices, handed out the prizes. He complimented us on our technique and excellent delivery.

This is the 5th year in a row that we've got through to the National Finals; a record no other school can beat. Last year we came 3rd out of 232 teams; the year before we came 2nd out of 209.

Meanwhile a team from Wilmslow High School also won their local heat in the Magistrates' Mock Trial, enabling us go through to the regional finals in Burnley in May.

Mrs Deborah Roussak said "The students worked their socks off, and it paid off. Every innuendo and twist of logic was analysed and evaluated."

She added "We were complimented by the judges for our confidence and professionalism. All our cross- examinations were focused and clear, and we made our points effectively. Our witnesses were convincing and dodged all the bullets fired at them by the other side."