Children who showed they could work together and make it up on the hoof impressed judges in the largest speech and drama competition in Europe.

Aldenham School Year 7 pupils Lucy Yardley, Qasim Merali, Emma Gillespie and Harvey Dodd won the prize for the most impressive at the Watford Festival of Music and Drama.

And pupils Zackary Agama, Jake Reynolds, Azaan Iqbal, Alex Englander, Tega Ogufere and Jensen Adeyanju were awrded the Chrystal Arts Shield for best devised improvisation.

In addition to these successes, students from the prep school enjoyed success in the junior section of the festival, winning gold medals in acting, mime and reciting verse.