STUDENTS from six schools learned 'valuable life skills' at a debating competition.

Luckley House School in Wokingham hosted the Youth Speaks - a debate competition which was organised by the Rotary Club of Easthampstead.

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Six schools such as Garth Hill College, Holme Grange School, Luckley House School, Sandhurst School and Wellington College all submitted their teams for the intermediate and senior competitions in a bid to be the best.

The criteria of the competition was to research and then present and discuss the topics in a debate form.

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The team has 15 minutes for the debate which is judged by a panel on content, delivery and timekeeping.

Sandhurst School won in both of the age groups and will go forward to the Thames Valley District.

Schools debated topics on whether zoos should be banned, whether 'Great Britain is really great' and whether 'beauty pageants should be banned'.

Enid Halliwell, head of the school, said: "Whilst there can only be one winning team in each section, you are all winners, because many of the parents and adults in the room could not do what you have done.

READ MORE: In case you missed it: five stories from across Bracknell "Public speaking is a learnable skill and you have demonstrated that you are well on the way to mastering it.

"Being able to speak in public will hold you in good stead as you journey through life."

The Easthampstead Rotarians have organised a Young Chef and Young Writer competition as well running the Technology tournament for the past two years at Garth Hill College.