This is the second year running the competition, where students are able to stand up in front of their fellow peers and speak confidently about issues important to them. It takes a great deal of confidence to speak publicly from the stage, and to perform to a large crowd of students, staff and judges. 

On the panel was English Director for the Trust, Hannah Lilley, and a special guest judge, Alison Scowen, who is the Senior Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager for Co-op. Alison spoke to the students about her own experience of public speaking and her work liaising with government officials and even the prime minister. 

Alison said of the event:

"This event is one that I will remember for a long time and one that I have already told many Co-op colleagues about. I think what impressed me most was the way in which every student shared deeply personal experiences and beliefs with absolute honesty. Humour, emotion and poetry featured heavily but every contribution was well judged and eloquently delivered."

This year's winner was Mena Omadhebor from Co-op Academy Swinton. Mena captivated the audience with the powerful delivery of her own original poem, 'The Disadvantage'. 

In 2nd place, Excel Onyia from Co-op Academy Belle Vue, gave a powerful speech about her own culture and heritage.

Taking the 3rd place spot was Ibraheem Waqqas, from Co-op Academy Stoke, who spoke of the devastating impact of warfare on children across the globe.

What a day! A superb showcase of talent across @coopacademies with powerful speeches & compelling performances. Congratulations to Mena at @swintoncoop whose performance of her original poem 'The Disadvantage' captivated both the audience and the judging panel alike! pic.twitter.com/yUd36sdbfF

— James Davies (@JimmyWeltschme1) March 15, 2024

The students thrived under pressure and represented themselves and their academies fantastically! 

English Director at Co-op Academies Trust, James Davies, said:

"It is always so inspiring to see how the pupils from all the secondary academies take to the stage to express themselves. The range of topics this year demonstrated an impressive maturity and it was brilliant to see the pupils be so supportive of each other throughout the day!."