King’s Lynn Rotary Youth Speaks Competition sees young people debate topics including private education, the NHS and zoos

Students have proved their speaking prowess in a recent competition organised by a Rotary club.

Five teams took part in the local round of the public speaking competition organised by the Rotary Club of King’s Lynn – Marshland High School, Hunstanton’s Smithdon High School, Lynn’s Springwood High School, St Clement’s High School in Terrington and Sheringham High School.

The debates covered topics relating to private education, the NHS, university tuition fees, zoos and wildlife parks, and the lack of parity between men’s and women’s sport.

For the second year in succession, the winning team was that from Sheringham High School. Poppy Gale proposed the motion that UK zoos and wildlife parks should be closed to the public and only maintained for scientific purposes.

The opposing arguments were presented by Lara Evans and the team was chaired by Grace Posthill.

They go forward to the district round of the competition to be held in the spring.

There are also regional and national rounds.

The Rotary club has said it is grateful for the continuing support and expertise of the judges – Dr Bob Rogers, Theresa Banks and Cynthia Youngman, as well as Springwood High School for hosting the event and the school staff involved with the teams.