STUDENTS from a school in Potters Bar have won a public speaking competition organised by local Rotary clubs.

Pupils from Dame Alice Owen's School, in Dugdale Hill Lane, faced off against peers from Chancellor's school in Brookmans Park, earlier this month, as part of the Youth Speaks competition organised by the Rotary.

Members of the Brookmans Park and Potters Bar Rotary Clubs attended the event at Dame Alice Owen's on November 8, to hear presentations on topics such as 'Factory Farming', 'The Art of Oratory', 'School Uniform' and 'Our Beautiful World of Success'.

Roger Philpott of Potters Bar Rotary Club, said: “The competition is an excellent opportunity for young people to develop their public speaking and presentation skills. This year was no exception and was very closely fought.”

Teams from Dame Alice Owen's won both the intermediate and senior age group categories, with “witty” presentations on reasons against wearing school uniforms, and an “excellent” talk on the aspects of success or failure based on outward appearances.

Both teams were presented with trophies by Potters Bar Rotary Club president Helga Quickenden.