It is great credit to the pupils and staff of Primary 6/7 at Cumbrae Primary after being named runners up in the 2019 Junior Finals of the School Mock Court Project.

The final of the project - which this year saw a total of 3000 children from across the country take part - was held on Tuesday, June 4, at Central Hall in Edinburgh.

Founded by Gerald Murphy of Chamberlain McBain Solicitors, the challenge has been running since 2008 and uses a court case scenario to encompass a range of classroom subjects including art, journalism, debating and writing skills.

Children are given roles as either pursuers or defenders and present their case to a real Sheriff by way of making submissions, using witnesses and productions, as well as producing art work and newspapers at various intervals to reflect their progress.

The project not only raises the value of citizenship, but helps students learn how to extrapolate fact from fiction and tell a story without distraction.

Using all available resources, the aim is to convince the Sheriff that their client - whether they be the pursuer or the defender - is right and judgement should be granted in their favour.

Julie Sharman, Head Teacher of Cumbrae Primary, said: “We are delighted that the efforts of our Primary 6/7 pupils, staff and partners have been recognised at a national level.

“The Mock Court experience has given the children a real life context in which to develop their skills and abilities across the curriculum, and was a huge opportunity to experience the world of work while developing communication skills and raising their aspirations for future career paths.

“They have all grown in confidence and had a very worthwhile and exciting challenge. As a school and community, we could not be prouder of their achievements.”

Councillor John Bell, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Employment, said: “The School Mock Court Project is a superb cross-curricular exercise which creates a real sense of team work and achievement among the pupils involved.

“We’d like to congratulate everyone at Cumbrae Primary on this fantastic result. Their hard work and preparation throughout both the Ayrshire heat and the final has really paid off, and we hope that the pupils have enjoyed this really valuable experience.”

In order to showcase their skills, the pupils also presented their cases to parents, carers and members of the community at a Mock Court assembly recently.

The school would like to thank the local Handiwives group for helping the children to design and create their court gowns.