Every year we run a trust-wide competition called the Speaker, and I am pleased to announce that it is back.

The Speaker competition involves children writing their own speech; they deliver this to an audience. It is a competition and there are different heats for the children to take part in, where oracy is key. All the children have been introduced to the competition and have discussed this year’s topic. They have also completed a Big Write with their teachers to gather ideas. No child will be forced to take part and deliver their speech, but we hope many children will. It has also been set as an extra challenge on the blogs this week for half term where they can re-write, improve and practise delivering their speech.

This year’s topic is:  If I ruled the world, the first thing I would do would be to....

What exactly is The Speaker?

• The Speaker is an oracy competition.
• Pupils in each class will prepare, rehearse, and perform a speech around the topic.
• The speech should be no longer than 2 minutes and should not use props or presentations.
• Each class will vote for their preferred speaker – 3 from each class will be found. (Class heats are the week beginning Monday 19^th February and will take place in the children’s classrooms).
• There will then be a year group heat where 12 children will compete and 3 will be selected to move forwards. (Week beginning 26^th February)
• The year group winners will then compete across the school by performing their speeches once more. Parents of these children will be invited to this heat. This will take place on Wednesday 6^th March Letters will go to those children taking part.
• The judges will then vote for 3 school winners.
• These winners will perform their speech once more…this time competing against other school winners.
• An overall speaker will be chosen, and awarded the title ‘The Viking Young Speaker, 2024’. The date of the trust final is Friday 22^nd March at the Royal Harbour school.

What is oracy?

• Oracy is our ability to communicate effectively using spoken language. ​
• It is the ability to speak eloquently, articulate ideas and thoughts, influence through talking and have the confidence to express your views

Key dates:

• Over the half term write the speech. Information can be found on the blogs.
• Practice at home in front of people.
• Class heats are the week beginning Monday 19^th February and will take place in the children’s classrooms.
• Week beginning 26^th February - Year group heat where 12 children will compete and 3 will be selected to move forwards.
• Wednesday 6^th March (PM) - The year group winners will compete across the school by performing their speeches once more. Parents of these children will be invited to this heat.
• Friday 22^nd March – The 3 winners will perform their speech once more and go with Miss Scarr to Royal Harbour where they will compete against the winners from Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School. 
• An overall speaker will be chosen, and awarded the title ‘The Viking Young Speaker, 2024’.

The Speaker is a wonderful opportunity for all children to get involved in and develop their oracy skills, which are essential life skills.

I look forward to hearing all the wonderful speeches that the children create. 

Miss Scarr