Mary Macleod MP, Member of Parliament for Brentford and Isleworth, visited Hounslow Manor School to judge a public speaking competition for local schools.  “Jack Petchey’s ‘Speak Out’ Challenge!” run by SpeakersBank, part of the Speakers Trust charity is the biggest public speaking event of its kind in the world.   Initial rounds are taking place in over 550 schools across London and Essex.

Twelve secondary schools in Hounslow took part in this year’s challenge, which involved 500 Year 10 students, who all received a full day of training in public speaking and effective communication.  The strongest pupil from each school was selected to go forward to a regional final of sixteen students speaking out passionately about issues important to them.  Topics included Buses, Facebook, Beauty, Chocolate and the BNP.

Fifteen-year-old Fatima Mahmood from Cranford Community College won the top prize in the Hounslow final.  Fatima’s speech on her chosen subject, “Stereotyping Teenagers,” won her an iPod touch and a chance to go through to the grand final of the Speak Out Challenge in July 2011.  The speech was described by SpeakersBank as “challenging and dramatic,” calling on adults to put aside their prejudice and talk to teenagers to discover they are “humans with souls and feelings.” Mary presented Fatima with her iPod and trophy.

Second place was Leah Black from Hounslow Manor School, speaking on Parenting, and in third place was Ella Whidett from St Mark’s Catholic School, who spoke on Prejudice.

Mary said, “It was a fantastic evening. The students were inspiring and so talented – a credit to themselves and their schools. 

“This initiative teaches young people the vital life skills of confidence in speaking in public and effective communication.  This is crucial for so many situations later in life, from job interviews to every day in the working environment.  Thanks to the “Speak Out Challenge” for giving students the opportunity to participate.”

Sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation and now in its fifth year, up to 20,000 young people are expected to compete for over £25,000 worth of prizes in this year’s Grand Final of Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge.