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Recently, a Year 12 student named Akin took part in the Sovereign Minds SPEAR Oratory Prize, which invites anyone aged between 16–18 to deliver a speech on one of the ten SPEAR target subjects.

Akin states that "it was an unforgettable experience" and explains more about the event  in the write-up below.

"Out of around 2,000 participants, I placed in the top 25. I moved on to the semi-finals and had the chance to deliver my speech in the House of Commons, in the Churchill Room. Being in a building where national debates take place, and where the likes of Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, and Barack Obama have stood to deliver speeches, just as I was there to do as well, made the moment feel both exciting and surreal.

My speech throughout the competition focused on the importance of education and how unequal access to it shapes opportunity and, consequently, our future. One line from my speech that captures this idea was: “Education is not charity. It is currency. If access to education remains unequal, then power remains predictable.” I wanted to show the audience that education is not simply about learning facts; it influences who gets the chance to lead, speak, and shape the future. If we do not extend the demographic of who we allow to learn, then those we see in power will continue to look more and more similar.

I prepared for the competition with Mrs Champion, which involved a lot of writing, rewriting, and practising. A great deal of energy was put into making sure that what I was saying really resonated with listeners, so I spent time refining both the message and how I delivered it to ensure the speech was powerful and clear. Whilst I did not reach the final, I do not believe that the time I put in was wasted.

Through this competition, I learnt more than just how to deliver a speech; I learnt how to step outside of my comfort zone, challenge boundaries, and believe that I truly can achieve whatever I put my mind to. I was most inspired by the people I met. The other competitors were incredibly kind and passionate about their ideas. Hearing them speak pushed me to think more deeply as a speaker. I left the experience with heightened confidence, and it reminded me how powerful ideas can be when they are shared."