In a Queenswood first, 13 girls in the Sixth Form entered the Independent schools Mock Trial competition on Saturday 2 February.

The girls had worked positively together over recent weeks to prepare for the competition, practising to prosecute and defend fictional criminal cases provided for the event, which took place at Inner London Crown Court.

On the day the girls were called on to take the roles of barristers, witnesses, court clerks, court ushers, jurors and even court artists, and competed against other schools in front of real life judges in real courtrooms. Some were wearing wigs and gowns and questioning witnesses, some were assessing the merits of cases and coming to decisions as jurors, some were capturing the action in artistic impressions as it happened; all were having fun and learning a great deal.

The standard of competition was very high, and the girls were a credit to themselves and to the school. Several were encouraged by the judges to consider careers in the law as barristers. The opportunity to overcome nerves and "go for it", presenting, questioning, acting, listening and debating was fantastic, and we came away with a greater impression of how the court system in England and Wales really works and what it would be like to work within the legal system. Some girls are already talking about entering the competition again next year.

Thank you to OQ Samara Brackley, family law barrister at Pump Court Chambers, for her invaluable assistance in preparing the girls, and for giving up her time on Saturday to support them.