Speak Up Year 6: Empowering Young Voices

Our aim is to empower young people to have the confidence and conviction to speak up and speak out about what is important to them. 

Now in its third year, Speak Up Year 6 is all about pupils sharing their views, learning from each other’s differences, and building vital communication skills that will help with academic and personal development.  

This broad and inclusive partnership unites schools from the maintained and independent sectors.

Led by Wimbledon High Junior School, it is funded by the contributions of partner schools form the independent sector, covering all costs for maintained schools. Training is delivered in partnership with Speakers Trust, the UK’s leading public speaking training charity for young people.

Pupils and teachers receive high-quality training in the art of public speaking, specifically tailored for primary-aged children.

Each year, over 500 Year 6 pupils from across London take part in the public speaking partnership. Teachers receive a day’s training and deliver a series of prepared workshops to their Year 6 pupils. During the workshops, the pupils develop core public speaking skills and prepare a speech on the topic of their choice, learning to express themselves with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

The best speakers take part in a public speaking competition.

Each year, the top 4% of speakers are selected to represent their school at the Grand Final, delivering their speech in front of an audience of friends, family, and an expert judging panel - competing head-to-head to be crowned the Speak Up! Year 6 Champion.

The impact on pupils is powerful. 

Our impact data shows significant gains in confidence, self-belief, and communication ability, as well as a deeper sense of connection between peers. Pupils finish the programme with a sense of empowerment and with oracy and public speaking skills they carry with them to the next stage of their education.