Superb speeches at Headington School's annual Rhetoric Cup final​

Pupils in U5 at Headington School concluded their enrichment fortnight by gathering in the new Hive Lecture Theatre for a screening of the Rhetoric Cup final.

This annual event, which dates back to the 1960s, normally takes place in L5 but was delayed for obvious reasons this year. All pupils deliver a speech on a topic of their choice and a finalist is selected from each English class.

This year, the audience enjoyed a fantastic selection of speeches on topics ranging from goats, ants and flat-earthers to fame, GCSE grades and violence against women and girls.

The unenviable job of selecting a winner went to our guest adjudicator, Headingtonian Phoebe Ladenburg (2005), a trained actor who works as a theatre director and performance coach to the financial and professional sectors.

After much deliberation, Phoebe announced that this year's winner was Lydia for her wise and heartfelt speech on the topic of perfectionism. Lydia was back home overseas but was able to join us remotely so pupils and staff could congratulate her on her well-deserved victory.

Mr Stephen Dilley, Head of English at Headington School said: “We were overwhelmed by the passion, insight and articulacy with which our seven finalists communicated.

“This event marked a wonderful end to their' GCSE studies and congratulations go to all pupils for their brilliant speeches!”