Our annual Public Speaking Competition is a key part of school life for pupils in 8s to 13s (Year 4 to 9). Speaking confidently and clearly is a life skill that supports pupils in every area of school and beyond. Alongside this, they learn how to structure an argument, research effectively, use persuasive language and respond thoughtfully to questions.
Public speaking also forms part of the GCSE English Language requirement. Our 13s (Year 9) complete the Spoken Language Endorsement as part of the competition. Starting in our 8s (Year 4) means pupils build confidence gradually over time. Speaking in front of others becomes normal, and in all our years of running the competition there has never been a pupil who has refused to take part or suffered stage fright. The process, which has remained largely unchanged over the years, involves pupils preparing and drafting speeches in lessons, receiving feedback from teachers and peers, and presenting to their classes before finalists are selected to speak in front of judges and an audience of peers.
This year’s competition demonstrated how thoughtful and original our pupils are, with talks spanning a wide range of themes. Some pupils tackled big issues such as AI, generation labels, education, pollution and marriage, while others explored subjects more personal to them, including a strong dislike of shoelaces, the benefits of boxing and the joys of baking.
Whilst I disliked the school public speaking experience at the time, when I look back I think it gave me a belief in myself and experience that has shaped so many parts of my life
Judge and former Harrodian pupil, Emmy Harries (Clinical Psychologist)
Our judges assessed pupils on confidence, eye contact, organisation, quality of research, use of persuasive techniques and the way they handled questions. This year’s finalists impressed our English department and judges with the high standard of their speeches, the passion for their chosen subjects and the variety of topics they covered, some of which were challenging or deeply personal. The effort each of them put into preparation, research, crafting language and using humour was particularly impressive. They had their audiences smiling, laughing, gasping, agreeing and disagreeing, everything that strong, thoughtful public speaking should do.
One of our judges for the 12s and 13s competition, Emmy Harries, a former Harrodian pupil and now a clinical psychologist, reflected on her own experience of public speaking at school. Although she was runner up in the competition in 2013, she admitted that she was not a fan of public speaking at the time. In hindsight, she recognises how valuable those experiences were. She explained that the skills she developed have helped her present at research conferences, debate at university and, most recently, train hundreds of staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She said, “Perhaps even more importantly, these skills have given me confidence in my personal life too, including speaking at a family member’s wedding. Whilst I always disliked the public speaking experience at the time, when I look back I think it gave me a belief in myself and experience that has shaped so many parts of my life.”
8s and 9s Competition
Winner: Grace (9SBA) – Why We Should Respect Spiders
Highly Commended: Otto (9KFI) – Space Predicts Our Future
Commended: Marco (8JSA) – Chat GPT Melting the Icecaps
10s and 11s Competition
Winner: Laetitia (11VSE) – Smiling
Highly Commended: Jemima (11LKE) – We Should All Get into Baking
Commended: Lucy (11MHN) – Why Grades Aren’t the Be-All and End-All
12s and 13s Competition
Winner: Alfie (12ABA) – Squirrels Are Smarter Than You Think
Second Place: Leo (13MHN) – Why Marriage Is a Thing of the Past
Highly Commended: Sheherezade (13MMD) – Why Comparing Yourself to Others Is Toxic
Highly Commended: Lucas (12REV) – Victims of the Cambodian Civil War Must Be Helped
Congratulations to all our finalists, and thank you to every pupil who took part, as well as to our three panels of judges consisting of parents, former pupils and staff.