Wirral’s sixth form college through to North West final of Youth Speaks competition

Wirral’s specialist sixth form college is celebrating after reaching the North West final of the national Rotary Youth Speaks competition.

The college’s Senior Team took part in the Merseyside and North Wales final on Friday, gaining first place in the ‘district’ heat of the public speaking competition.

The team – Main Speaker, Tom McNally; Chairperson, Dean Avis; and the Proposer of the Vote of Thanks, Kaylee Meredith – gave an impassioned speech titled ‘Press Regulation: The Road to Tyranny’.

They beat strong competition from schools across the region – including second placed St Brigid’s School in Denbigh, Wirral Grammar School for Girls and Oswestry School – and now go through to the North West final on March 29^th at Glyndwr University in Wrexham.

The team’s tutor, Head of History Jane Cavanagh, said: “This is a fantastic achievement especially as it is the first time that the school has reached the North West final. The team, which also includes Wendy Garnett who took part in the first round, has shown real dedication throughout. The hard work they have put into the research and presentation of the speech has shone through and we will now go to the regional finals with real confidence.”

The Sixth Form College, which is based in Claughton, beat seven competitors in the district final, having won the Wirral heat in January.

Principal Kathryn Podmore said: “This is a truly worthwhile event, which allows young people to gain confidence skills and enables them to deliver their views on subjects they are passionate about. Tom, Dean, Kaylee and Wendy are all excellent ambassadors for the college and we look forward to supporting them in North West finals.”

The Rotary Youth Speaks competition runs as part of a youth enrichment programme, which provides extra-curricular opportunities, work and voluntary experience and short skills courses for students.