This year’s competition was held at the National Media & Science Museum, Bradford, with an audience of around 200 people, including family, friends, teachers, judges and MPs.

The winning speech by Anaayah Charles was titled ‘How to cope with grief and loss’. She spoke about how she overcame the loss of her father. Thank you to both Anaayah, her mother and family for encouraging this video to be posted in the hope that it inspires others who have lost a loved one to speak up, speak out and to not go the journey alone. Together is better.

Anaayah’s speech was incredibly courageous and heartfelt. Performing a 3-minute talk without any notes, in front of packed room! Her compelling narrative oozed compassion, honesty, integrity and excellence. Her powerful words inspired everyone and moved the audience to tears.

Judith Cummins MP, presented Anaayah with the winners certificate.

OIAMFS teacher, Mr Pickles said, “I am incredibly proud of how courageous Anaayah has been in speaking out about her life, how she overcame such a difficult period, and how she is now helping others with her honesty and inspiration. Anaayah deserves the recognition for doing something so brave in sharing publically what she has been through”.

Mr Grant, OIAMFS Principal said, “We are very proud of Anaayah and her achievements. She is a remarkable young lady and has had to overcome some tremendous challenges in her life recently. Anaayah embodies the school values and her recent success in the Speakers Trust demonstrates that. You can feel the power of her speech even as you watch the video. Well done Anaayah”.

The Speakers Trust ‘Speak Out’ competition final comprised of 16 speakers from 11 schools from the Bradford district. The judging panel was made up of: Daniel Greenwood (Superintendent, Bradford); Anne-Marie Canning MBE (Chair of Bradford Opportunity Area); Gladys Rhodes White (Strategic Director, Bradford); Deborah Levy (Managing Director, Engage); Jo Quinton-Tullock (Director of National Media & Science Museum); and Danyal Yasin (Runner-Up of 2017/18 Bradford Speak Out Challenge). Judith Cummins MP, presented the certificates to the winners.

Also representing our school on the night was year 10 student Salman Begum who did himself very proud! His speech was titled, ‘It’s about life’. Salman took part with only a few hours’ notice, and spoke impressively about his view of happiness in life. Congratulations Salman, you did a fabulous presentation.

Both Anaayah and Salman reached the competition final by initially completing the Speakers Trust workshop at OIAMFS, where 25 of our Year 10 students built up their public speaking and presentation skills. At the end of the training programme the top eight students participated in the “Speak Out” Challenge where they had to give a 3-minutes TED-talk style speech in front of a packed Year 7 school assembly. Anaayah was chosen as the winner, and Salman was runner-up to represent our school in the regional finals.

“Thank you to the Speakers Trust Charity, for bringing this event to Bradford for the second year running and for your investment in the young people of our city. We would also like to thank every teacher who has supported this programme not just in our school but every school that participated.

To Mrs Ware thank you for originally engaging OIAMFS in this fantastic competition; Ms Wright for overseeing it as Director of Arts; Ms Woodcock and Ms Stuart for supporting Anaayah and her family; and Mr Stokes as Head of Year 10 for supporting the students throughout this years competition.

We celebrate every teacher and school leader for his or her commitment to nurturing the young people of our district and for inspiring them to become better leaders.

The final special thank you is extended to every young person who participated in making the evening a very special one to remember. In particular, Anaayah and Salman – we are very proud of you both. You represented yourself, family and our school, impeccably well. Thank you! You are all ‘one in a million’”. Mark Hughes (OIAMFS Chair of Governors).