This year, our students recently showcased outstanding public speaking talents through the prestigious Jack Petchey Speak Out challenge.

Its goal is to empower young people across London, particularly East London, and provide them with vital public speaking skills. The sessions help boost their confidence and communication abilities.

With the assistance of experts from the Speaker Trust, we partake in this experience every year with our Year 10 students.

The competition involves several rounds within the school among their peers. This is where they refine their ability to speak with clarity and persuasively.

The best speakers advance through the competition, with the top two to three students representing the school at the regional finals!

12 SPW students were selected from an initial pool of 700 participants at the first workshop to advance to regionals. Three of those students made the remarkable achievement of progressing to the final stage!

Amongst these talented finalists, Year 10 student, Maryam, secured second place. She delivered a passionate speech regarding intersexuality and the challenges she has faced.

We also had Year 10 student, Parisa, secure third place. She delivered an inspiring speech surrounding the challenges faced by the deaf community. It truly has been an extraordinary milestone!

Their passionate and well-spoken presentations impressed both the judges and an audience of approximately 100 people.

Beyond this competition, our school’s commitment to student leadership was evident in a student-led Jack Petchey assembly. The School Council delivered valuable TFL safety and travel tips, This is a strong representation of our dedication to raising awareness on public safety issues.

The Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge perfectly aligns with our core value of Aspiration. By encouraging students to find their voice, overcome challenges, and excel in public speaking, the program nurtures their confidence and ambition.

We strive to empower our students to become articulate, engaged, and proactive members of their community, preparing them for future leadership roles.

St Paul’s Way is proud of its students' achievements and looks forward to continued success in this prestigious competition in the coming years!