Run the Speak Out Challenge

Here you will find helpful information to help you run the Speak Out Challenge and empower students from all backgrounds to become strong communicators.

For our quick and easy Teacher’s information click here.

Book Workshop

What to expect at your workshop

Our professional workshop leader will arrive first thing in the morning and take a class of between 25 and 30 off timetable for the day. We work within your normal school day, with the same breaks.

The whole day is designed to progressively build young people’s confidence in public speaking by building a psychologically safe environment. The students then take part in structured, interactive exercises for individuals and groups to develop communication skills, expand comfort zones and support participants to exceed expectations.

By the end of the workshop students will have prepared a one to two minute speech on a subject that they are passionate about. Here are some of the topics young people choose to discuss.

What happens after the workshop

Assembly Finals

After your in-school workshop(s) you will have several students with powerful speeches who could represent your school at the inter-school level, the Regional Final. To select your speakers we recommend holding an Assembly Final in school. This is an excellent opportunity for your students to share their speech with more teachers and fellow students, gain more vital speaking experience and build confidence for the next stage of the programme. To help you run an Assembly Final, use the resources below. First, read our Assembly Final Guide, which has everything you need to know and prepare to run an Assembly Final in your school.

Assembly Final PowerPoint Template You can add school logo, pictures and information to make this your own. This PowerPoint will help you structure any assembly final events.

Assembly Final Judging Form You may want to turn this into a digital document using google forms, survey monkey or the education software preferred by your school. Or, you could use old fashioned pen and paper.

Top Tips for students to prepare. These short videos will help refresh students’ memories of their workshop and prepare them to present their speeches.

Student Speech Filming Guidelines A comprehensive guide for students to guide them through filming their speeches at home.

Regional Finals

We will delivering in-person Regional Final events this year and we will have some Digital Final alternatives for those who cannot take part in person. Both event formats are a fantastic opportunity for each selected young person to share their voice and be heard by a wider audience. You will receive an invitation to submit a speaker for your Regional Final event after your in-school workshop. Your teacher pack will contain all the information you need to help your student prepare.

Book Workshop

Having gone through this process as a student myself, I can truly say how tremendously beneficial this is for the students to gain a life skill such as public speaking. Often the term public speaking is misleading but in essence it is simply about speaking confidently, articulately and powerfully whether it is to one person, three people in an interview or a large audience.

Shafia Khanam, Teacher

Pupils left today's session feeling inspired, confident and with skills that will support them through the rest of their lives. The trainer was incredible! She was so encouraging and really helped our young people break boundaries and barriers.

Teacher

It is always a pleasure to watch students dip into their passion and personal experience. Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge is a highlight of the school year.

Marvin Edmead, Teacher