The ISA Public Speaking Competition is an opportunity for students to display their oratory skills by performing a reading or speech to an audience. Key Stage 2 students are asked to perform a poetry reading, whilst Key Stages 3 - 5 are challenged to write and deliver their own speech. By practicing public speaking, students can build their confidence and learn to communicate clearly.

Open for entries: Tuesday 1 September 2026
Deadline: Tuesday 12 January 2027
Date and Venue: Monday 15 March 2027, Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge, CB2 1TA

Rules and Guidelines information to follow.

Public Speaking Competition Results 2026

Congratulations to everyone who took part and well done to the winners. Click here to see the results.
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Thanks to our partner for the competition this year, the English Speaking Union (ESU). 
The English-Speaking Union is an education charity and international membership organisation working to give children and young people the speaking and listening (oracy) skills they need to thrive. They run a range of public speaking, debate and performance competitions for secondary-aged students, and offer a comprehensive oracy programme for primary and prep schools, Oracy in Action. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

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ESU Resources:

- Top Tips for Public Speaking 
- 4 Oracy Skill Sets 
- Oracy In Your Classroom 
- Reasoning and Evidence Resource Sheet

Click here for the ISA policies

If you have any queries about our competitions, please contact us at [email protected].

Only schools whose Head is a member of ISA are eligible to enter these competitions. Please contact our membership department if you wish to make an enquiry about joining ISA.