On 11 July, in the prestigious senate Room at Liverpool Hope University, students and teachers from six state schools arrived for a day of fun games, activities and training in public speaking. Four of the schools had never entered the ESU’s Public Speaking Competition before; they are now equipped with the know-how, training and enthusiasm to get involved.
Bruce Hicks of the Liverpool Branch Committee and Director of Music at Archbishop Beck College, a state secondary school in Liverpool, pulled out all the stops to ensure the day was a success. Bruce has been using his free time to coach young Liverpudlians in public speaking for years and is an ardent believer in the educational value of public speaking and oracy practice. He is also aware of the challenges which face many state school students within the education system and the ESU’s public speaking competition when up against some of the teams from the independent sector. English Teacher Colette Parkinson of Christ The King Catholic School said: ‘It was a fantastic day. Students were able to express themselves in an increasingly articulate manner.’
Many thanks to Bruce for all his work to promote this opportunity and for his continued work supporting young people in the area to improve their public speaking skills.
