STUDENTS from The Cherwell School have reached the final of a mock trials contest.

They will head to the Old Bailey in London in March after winning the Bar National Mock Trial Competition’s regional heat at Oxford Combined Court Centre.

The 11 pupils from the Marston Ferry Road school, North Oxford, staged two mock trials during the regional heat, beating seven other schools. The pupils took on every role, except the judge, acting as witnesses, defendants, jurors, courtroom staff and barristers.

And after arguing one side of the issue, they swapped places and argued the other side, so prosecutors became defendants.

Their efforts impressed real-life barristers, who also sit as judges.

Teacher Adam Walton said: “Going to the Old Bailey will be an amazing experience for them.”