Oracy Culture Award

South Hampstead has won this year’s English-Speaking Union Oracy Award in recognition of the school’s flourishing culture of debate.

The judges praised South Hampstead’s efforts in creating a sustainable culture of oracy through supporting young women across the school, as well as in the wider community, to find their voice and express their views with coherence and conviction.

Dr Etheridge, Director of Debating & Public Speaking since September 2018, has shifted the perception of school debating, establishing it as a fun, dynamic and accessible co-curricular activity; thriving lunchtime debate clubs are testament to the sense of community, enthusiasm and inter-year camaraderie that have been engendered. Over the past 18 months, South Hampstead pupils have won numerous prestigious debates and public-speaking competitions, as they continue to build their confidence and develop their skills of critical thinking and argumentation.

A key initiative has been South Hampstead’s ‘Debate Hub’, working with local state schools to empower those who would not otherwise have access to debating provision. The mutually enriching partnership, with regular coaching and friendly fixtures, ensures dozens of pupils in the area learn to collaborate and enjoy winning arguments.

One 11-year old novice debater commented: “Everyone needs to share their feelings and opinions… debating has given me a voice to share mine. It’s boosted my perseverance and I enjoy it so much.”

Another new star debater, aged 16, has recently qualified to compete at one of the top debating finals at the Oxford Union: “Debating’s sparked my interest in politics, which I’m now studying for A Level. The skills I’ve learned have had an amazing impact on my life.”

Headmistress Mrs Vicky Bingham, a former Vice President of the Oxford Union, is a vociferous champion of debating and public speaking. In a recent opinion piece in The Week Schools’ Guide she commented: “The skill of persuasion is needed all the time… Above all, debating forces participants to consider alternative points of view – something, in the current global political climate, that is perhaps more pressing than ever.” 

South Hampstead pupils were due to pick up their trophy at the National Final of the ESU Schools’ Mace, the oldest and largest schools’ debating competition in England. As part of the prize, the school will receive a Discover Your Voice workshop for up to 24 students, which we look forward to hosting with pupils from partner schools.

The English-Speaking Union (ESU) encourages young people to improve attainment, emotional intelligence and social skills; the ESU Oracy Culture Award is the only national award which recognises and celebrates schools placing oracy at the heart of their curriculum.