Students challenged their own perceptions when three schools came together today to debate climate change.

About 100 pupils, including some from Watford Grammar School for Girls and Royal Masonic School for Girls, heard speakers and took part in workshops based on climate change at Watford Grammar School for Boys.

Among the guests taking part were members of action group Plane Stupid, Oxfam, Renewable Energy Systems, and Lord Teverson, the House of Lords' spokesman for energy and climate change.

Watford MP Richard Harrington also visited the school, in Hempstead Road, for part of the day.

The event, held in the school's Sixth Form building, was led by Watford Boys' geography teacher Julian Carrera.

He said: “There's great educational relevance to teaching climate change and it fits at every level of the school.”

Mr Carrera said he had noticed some pupils were “ambivalent” about climate change, as “they are aware of it but have a feeling they're not responsible or it's not their problem”.

He then decided to organise a conference to bring them face-to-face with experts.

“It was a brilliant panel,” Mr Carrera said. “It was a great opportunity for our students to engage with people who could be their employers in the future or shaping the decisions that will affect their lives in the future.

“The students were just tremendous. They were very eloquent, inspiring. They made the day worth organising.

“The best thing for me was to prove we can interrupt the rhythm of the school to do something so complementary. It was a serious day but also great fun and a real success.”