An Education for a Lifetime: The Power of Public Speaking at St. Edmund’s

Public speaking plays a central role in life at St. Edmund’s, beginning in the early years and continuing right through to GCSE and beyond. From the moment our youngest pupils find their voices, we encourage them to express themselves with confidence, clarity and creativity.

Pupils are given regular opportunities to speak in front of others, whether through class presentations, assemblies performed for parents, or taking to the stage in our larger drama productions and showcases. These experiences help pupils develop self-belief, presence and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.

Many of our pupils also choose to take LAMDA lessons, which further strengthen their confidence and performance skills. These sessions help to refine articulation, expression and presentation, while also nurturing creativity and resilience which are skills that benefit pupils far beyond the classroom.

In the Prep School, all pupils participate in our structured public speaking programme, which is built around three strands: poetry recitation, declamation and debating. These activities culminate in friendly competitions that encourage pupils to challenge themselves in a supportive environment. The emphasis is not only on performance, but on building confidence, listening skills and the ability to think on one’s feet.

Johanna Record, Head of English in our Prep School comments: “Through positive experience and practice, we aim to take the fear out of public speaking so that our pupils can address a room confidently in their adult lives.  We want them to feel able to go for top roles in their careers, to be comfortable in social situations and to be able to make their voice heard.”

These competitions provide an excellent platform for pupils to practise and refine their public speaking abilities. Presenting to an audience helps them develop poise, persuasive communication and the confidence to share ideas clearly and thoughtfully.

Senior pupils often have speakers and workshops around public speaking, Ben Bellack, Head of English Senior School comments:

“Public speaking is not simply about performance; it is about learning to think clearly, speak with purpose and engage thoughtfully with others. Through workshops, visiting speakers and opportunities to present and debate, our senior pupils develop the confidence to articulate their ideas and challenge perspectives with maturity. These are vital skills, not only for examinations and further education, but for leadership and life beyond school.”

Alongside pupil development, our teaching staff recently undertook valuable training during our start-of-term INSET, with a focus on artificial intelligence, St Edmund’s digital strategy and the evolving role of AI in education. As the format of examinations and coursework continues to change with the advances in AI, oral communication skills are set to become more important than ever.

By placing such strong emphasis on public speaking and communication, we are equipping our pupils with essential skills for the future: skills that will serve them in further education, careers and life beyond school. This is all part of our commitment to providing an Education for a Lifetime.