BIRKENHEAD School was the proud winner of the local heat of Youth Speaks with their thought-provoking topic, Does political correctness have a place in modern society?

Birkenhead Rotary Club, the organisers of the competition, invited secondary schools in Wirral to participate in the event hosted by Wirral Grammer School.

Ben Wille, from Little Neston, chaired the team of third formers from Birkenhead School. Their speaker was Adam Cross, from Oxton, and Alister Bell proposed the vote of thanks. Ben explained: "We often have to give talks in school so this contest seemed a good opportunity to get some experience of public speaking outside the classroom."

Louise Smeaton, their English teacher, commented at the event: "I was impressed by the maturity with which they tackled their chosen topic and their confident approach to the competition itself."

Runner-up was Upton Convent, in third place Birkenhead HIgh School for Girls and joint fourth were Wirral Grammer School for Boys and Calday Grange Grammar. Birkenhead School now goes forward to the district heats to be held at Connah's Quay in two weeks' time.

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