Meet James Fox and Ben Woolgar - the World Schools Debating champions.

The two teenagers were part of a four-person England schools debating team that recently won the World Schools Debating Championships - a 10-day competition in Washington DC.

In the final, held at the Reagan Centre, they beat New Zealand, previously undefeated in the competition. They knocked out Israel in the quarter-finals.

James Fox, 19, a Haberdashers' Aske's pupil tells People: "It was definitely one of the best things I've done. It was amazing to meet so many different people from all over the world." Having completed his A levels this year, he is preparing to go Oxford University, where he will study philosophy, politics and economics (PPE).

Thirty-nine countries took part in the competition, which England last won in 1996. The final debating motion was: "This House would expand the permanent membership of the UN Security Council."

Ben Woolgar, 17, is in his final year at St Paul's School, where he is studying English, maths and economics A levels. He tells People: "It was absolutely incredible. You couldn't have picked a more illustrious surrounding to hold the competition in." He lives in Belsize Park, North-West London, and is a member of Belsize Square Synagogue. James lives in Watford and is a member of Watford Synagogue.

The other two members of the winning team were Emily Pearce of Heathland School, Hounslow, and Seb Farquhar from Leeds Grammar School. They were coached by Debbie Newman, 29, an education consultant who too is Jewish and was herself on the team in 1997.