Now in its ninth year, The West Midlands Speak Out Challenge will reach up to 600 young people in across the region in the 2025-26 Speak Out Challenge.
This year, the programme is funded by Aimhigher West Midlands, and will be available for their partner schools.
Schools will receive a one-day, expert-led workshop in public speaking and communication skills. Our workshops support Speaking and Listening GCSE outcomes and boost pupils’ future employability skills. The student’s confidence in speaking to an audience, without notes, is measured at the beginning and at the end of the day.
In the 2024-25 West Midlands Speak Out Challenge, we delivered 40 workshops, across 33 schools, working with 839 Year 10s
“This was an excellent opportunity to allow students to combine academics and passion. It was also wonderful to see previously uncertain students become more confident.”
Teacher, Bournville School
“Allowing not only the gifted to thrive but also a platform to show those with low self esteem what they are capable of in a safe environment.”
Teacher, Bishop Walsh
Eligibility:
If you are school already connected with Aimhigher West Midlands, get in touch with them directly about booking your free workshop(s).
The students completed their speaking endorsement for their GCSE’s this week and due to the programme we have more students that have achieved merits and distinctions than in previous years, the students felt ready to deliver their speeches and answer questions about them, they even used the scaffolds from the sessions to replan and revise their talking points prior to delivery.
It was an enjoyable and productive day. The students were amazing and gave phenomenal speeches
My students have experienced something quite rare – the space to think and the freedom to speak about hopes and fears in an entertaining, mutually respectful and intellectually dynamic workshop. Many thanks
Participating in the Speak Out challenge gave me huge confidence to find my voice and be able to communicate effectively. I benefited massively as I went through my education, and continue to do so day to day in my professional career. It no doubt set me up for success!
The Speak Out challenge gave me a voice that I never knew that I had. It has played an integral part in boosting my confidence and also gave me a multitude of essential life skills that I constantly apply in my day to day life. That is why when the opportunity to become an Alumni Ambassador was offered to me, I felt so honoured to become a part of this wonderful process and hopefully help others gain these invaluable life skills and find their own voice.