PUPILS from John of Gaunt School were the big winners at this year’s Young Voice of Trowbridge speaking competition held at St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge.

Teams of pupils from Years 8, 10 and 13 from The Clarendon Academy, John of Gaunt and St Augustine’s schools debated a number of different questions, including ‘Is the Magna Carta relevant today?’ John of Gaunt won the Year 8 and Year 10 sections as well as being awarded the overall winner’s title, while Clarendon Academy won the Year 13 section.

Teacher Louise Hamilton, who coached the John of Gaunt pupils with fellow teacher Catherine Parkes, said: “We are absolutely delighted to do so well.

They all worked so hard and it was great to see how far they had come.

“Some of those taking part were quite insecure at the beginning and not very confident speaking in front of people, but the journey they have come on has been incredible.”

Peter Addington, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, Jo Trigg, head of marketing at The Consortium, Dr Andy Thompson of Bath University and historian Sean McGlynn judged the competition.

Jennifer Polledri, chairman of Trowbridge in Bloom, which organises the event was full of praise.

She said: “The competition enabled the young people to research, synthesise and present their thoughts and proposals coherently in public with exceptional results.

“All pupils approached their topics with confidence, authority and well supported opinions.”

Celebrating their win in the Voice of Trowbridge awards, are teams from John of Gaunt School. Back from left, 6th form team Seraphina Studd, Andrea Bieda and Emma Bullen with teachers Catherine Parkes and Louise Hamilton. Centre; Year 10 team Martha Holbrook, Shannon Haimes and Mikhail Schneider and front; Year 8 team Madeleine Youngs, Molly Cotton and Emily Heydon