Our Year 11 Public Speaking Team were in action the other week in the northern final of the English Speaking Union competition held at Leeds Grammar School.  The amazing team of Martha, Edward and Scarlett faced some very stiff competition as they took on the roles of speaker, chair and questioner.

Martha was the guest speaker and delivered a riveting and thought-provoking speech on genderism, focusing on the inequality of paternity leave in the workplace.  Her address was well received by both audience and judges, so much so that some members of the audience sought her out during the break to compliment her not only on the content but her magnificent delivery.

Edward and Scarlett took the roles of chair and questioner with a speaker from another school. The subject was whether the American dream has now become the American nightmare. With limited time for preparation, Edward asked some very insightful questions of the speaker and Scarlett’s excellent management of the role of chair meant she was in complete control of both the audience questioning and timekeeping.  Her timekeeping in particular was absolutely precise.

Despite their valiant and captivating performances the team came a very well deserved 2^nd to Dame Allan’s in Newcastle, but unfortunately did not proceed to the next round. Whilst being understandably disappointed, as this was their first “in person” competition, it was valuable experience.

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Oladjins and Mrs Cable who supported the students at Leeds Grammar School could not have been more proud of them – not only did they put in a great performance but showed an incredibly supportive attitude towards one another and the rest of the teams.