A school pupil says she “can’t believe” she has reached the grand final of a speaking competition after impressing judges last night (May 10).

Alice Redknap, 15, from Roding Valley High School in Loughton, came first at the regional final of the Jack Petchey Speak Out challenge.

Speaking at the event at King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy in Waltham Abbey, Alice beat pupils from 13 other schools with her winning speech On Fleek.

She will now speak at the competition’s grand final at the Piccadilly Theatre in London on July 4.

She said: “The experience of being in the Speak Out challenge 2016 is incredible!

“I can’t believe I actually came in first place.”

Alice also won a £100 gift certificate for coming first.

A total of 450 year 10 pupils took part in the event, with 15-year-old Jake Groce from West Hatch High School in Chigwell coming second with Not So Social and Lisa Nakimuli, also 15 and from the host school, coming third with Be Not Afraid Of Life.

The young speakers were judged by people including Scott Ramsay, director of the Harlow Playhouse, and David Miles, an author and trainer.