A record 53 teams took on the Rotary technology challenge this year in a packed hall at Katherine Warington School. The annual tournament is organised by the two St Albans Rotary Clubs and Rotary in Harpenden.

For the first time, the Foundation level prize (11 to 14-year-olds) was won by Heathlands School for Deaf Children. Another Heathlands team took third prize. The Intermediate level (15 to 16) was won by Beaumont School while the Advanced level, for sixth formers, was won by St Columba’s

Co Headteacher of Heathlands School, Lesley Reeves Costi, said:

“The students were overjoyed with their success and always enjoy the Rotary technology competition. As a specialist school, inclusion opportunities like these are so valuable for both our students, as well as students from other schools, and we are very proud to be a part of the St Albans/Harpenden Rotary.

“It offers the chance for the students to think innovatively and ‘outside the box’ and that in itself breaks down language barriers that may normally pose a problem. Thank you very much for investing in all of our students in this way year on year.”

The winning Heathlands team with Nitesh Joshi, Chairman of the Board of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland.