Meet Grand Finalist, Toby Yates

We are delighted to share that this has been the biggest year ever for Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge. Up to 35,000 students have been trained in over 500 schools across all of London and Essex.

Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge provides year 10 students in state schools across London and Essex with public speaking and communication training to increase their confidence, sense of agency and drive to make a difference in society.

During the academic year, over 500 schools have received a free one-day public speaking workshops for their students. The student’s confidence in speaking to an audience, without notes, is measured at the beginning and at the end of the day. During 2023-2024, 74% of students have increased their confidence to stand up and talk to a group of people. At the end of the day, every school nominates one student to go on to a Regional or Digital Final, where they compete again other school finalists and their speeches are judged based on content delivery, structure and positive impact by a panel of esteemed judges. After going on to win the semi-finals, our 15 inspirational, articulate, and impressive speakers are now ready to present their speech to you!

We will celebrate the achievements of these awe-inspiring young people in the heart of London’s West End at Cambridge Theatre on Monday 8th July and crown the 2024 Speak Out Champion!

In no particular order, meet 2024 Grand Finalist Toby Yates! 

Their speech ‘Kindness is Key’ earned them and their school, The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School, first place in the Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Regional Final. 

We asked Toby, what three items or people would you choose to take to a desert island and why? 

Jazz to listen to: Jazz is my favourite genre, it helps me relax but it can also be really up beat and fun.

Some green tea: I drink it all of the time- it’s great.

My dog: he’s great, not much more to say.

What is your favourite saying or quote?

“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard”- I like to think of myself as a hard worker and this quote reminds me to keep putting in 100% effort and not get complacent.

If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Spaghetti Bolognese, it works all the time for any occasion and it tastes great without being difficult to cook.

What three tips would you give to a Year 7 student? 

Stay disciplined and work hard; try your best to be kind, even to people you don’t think deserve it; don’t burn yourself out, sometimes you have to take a break and rest, don’t burn yourself out and damage your mental health.

Why do you think it’s important for young people like you to share their stories?

Everyone has their own unique perspective on the world, and I believe that listening and learning about these different perspectives helps develop you into a much more well-rounded person. Sharing our stories in this competition teaches all of us so much, not just about public speaking, but also all the different, amazing topics we get the opportunity to hear each other share.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?

I would abolish nuclear weapons because they are so horrific and dangerous that I believe it is impossible to justify them. I remember reading somewhere that the world could be destroyed in something like 30 minutes due to nuclear war, and that the most likely cause of nuclear war is a misunderstanding, if one country believes the other will attack. I find that terrifying and deeply sad, that humans can’t trust or be kind enough to each other to realise how stupid we are being. Without nuclear weapons, it would be much easier to end war for good and finally work to a perfect, peaceful world.

Best of luck Toby and see you at the Grand Final on July 8th!