Excitement reached fever pitch at the Royal Prep School in Hindhead when the school’s StorySLAM semi-finals took place.

In front of an experienced judging panel consisting of author Sarah Holding – who was a StorySLAM final judge last year – and members of Royal School staff, 11 Year 5 and 6 children performed their short stories.

Annalisa Alexander, director of the prep school, said: “Watching them up there, speaking so confidently to the entire school and the judges, was a very proud moment for all of us.”

Public speaking is one of the elements of the Royal Prep School’s future ready curriculum.

The school believes the skill will stand the children in good stead for the future.