Meet Grand Finalist, Hanan Hassan

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 2024-2025, 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 7th July and crown the 2025 Speak Out Champion!

In no particular order, meet 2025 Grand Finalist Hanan Hassan! 

Their speech ‘Fairytales’ earned them and their school, The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, first place in the Ealing Regional Final. 

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

I would take a sleeping bag so at least I can sleep comfortably, a stack of money for if I need it and some seeds so I can hopefully grow some food.

What is your favourite saying or quote?

“If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”. This quote highlights that freedom of speech includes the right to express unpopular or dissenting opinions and it really resonates with me.

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

I would eat potatoes as they are very versatile so I can make a bunch of dishes and they are delicious.

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

Pick GCSE subjects you enjoy, don’t worry too much about making loads of friends and enjoy the stress free life!

Why did you choose to speak about this subject? 

Because throughout my life I would’ve loved to hear that having a little bit of hope can make every hardship that occurs so much easier.  I wanted to share this to others so that they can learn what I didn’t.

How would you like people to think/act differently after hearing your story?

I want people to feel impacted by my speech and not to dwell on the bad thoughts and feelings that may occur but instead I want all to see that life gets better and brighter if you have a little hope.

Best of luck Hanan and see you at the Grand Final on July 7th!