This week saw the launch of Speak Up! Year 6 2026, our cross-sector public speaking partnership for Year 6 pupils, now in its fourth year. The programme brings together maintained and independent schools, reaching 500+ pupils annually.
Teachers from our partner schools met at Wimbledon High for a training session with the Speakers’ Trust, learning ways to help their pupils structure ideas clearly; strategies for listening, disagreement, and respectful discussion; and how to speak with confidence. Schools will now begin delivering sessions to Year 6 classes to teach them the oracy skills learnt with the Speakers’ Trust, helping pupils develop confidence and clarity by preparing and delivering a three-minute speech on a topic that matters to them.
Two pupils from each school will be selected to take part in a Finalists’ Training Day before representing their school at the Grand Final in March.
