Congratulations to Year 10 boys, Hasan Biyan and Farouk Kodjoe (named best speaker), and thank you to Ms Senior for bringing this initiative into school. We look forward to meeting representatives from the Young Litigators Project next month when they visit us.

This is one of our new extra-curricular offerings where the students engage in debates, case analysis and mock trials which teaches them about the law and British values whilst honing their critical thinking and reasoning skills, building confidence in writing and public speaking, as well as learning how to work effectively as part of a team.

#StudentSpotlight #newinitiatives #enrichment #youthadvocacy

Back in March, Year 7 students participated in the Write2Speak initiative and the impact was truly inspiring. The sessions provided a platform for students to explore their voices, express themselves with confidence, and engage in meaningful discussions—all guided by outstanding facilitators.

The expertise and enthusiasm of the facilitators were central to the programme’s success. Their ability to connect with students, encourage participation, and nurture creativity ensured that even the most reserved students felt empowered to share their thoughts.

The emotional impact of the initiative was clear. Students not only developed their writing and speaking skills but also grew in confidence. Many took pride in their work, stepping outside their comfort zones to express themselves in ways they hadn’t before. The energy in the room was electric as ideas took shape and came to life.

Write2Speak has left a lasting impression, equipping students with valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom. It was an enriching, transformative experience—one that will continue to resonate with them in the future.

The Art Department took their Year 11 GCSE students to visit the Tate Modern, London and walk along the Southbank.

The trip gave students the opportunity to experience the Turbine Hall and view artwork in this vast industrial setting. World famous art by artists such as Picasso, Leger, Braque, Matisse was exhibited alongside new contemporary artworks Outi Pieski, Arahmaiani and Farah Al Qasimi.

From Waterloo station, we ambled along the Southbank, taking photographs of the
architecture and landmarks. The skyline showcasing the London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of
Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Shard and Cutty Sark at Greenwich. On the walk back to
Liverpool Street station, we visited the bombed out ruins of the Church of St. Dunstan in
the East. We stopped for a moment to appreciate the glory of nature entwined around the
gothic archways, walls and windows of the historic church.

The day was full of wonder. Imagination and thought provoking questions were raised. The
Tate Modern and the buzz of the Southbank providing plentiful inspiration for the students
Art GCSE Externally Set Assignment.

We look forward to seeing the students using the inspiration of the trip to develop their
ideas and create new, exciting and innovative artwork.

The journey to the Enfield Regional Finals of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge with The Speakers Trust started with an intense, full-day workshop at Enfield Grammar School.

30 students participated, working hard to refine their public speaking skills. The workshop was packed with engaging sessions, expert coaching, and helpful feedback that prepared everyone to perform their best.

The students then moved on to the Assembly Finals, where six outstanding speakers were selected to represent the school. The finalists included:
Alex Aning-Bonsu, Aiden Goldring, Nikodem Kotwica, Daniel Obisesan, Burhan Mehdi and Michael Svoboda
These six students each delivered powerful and thought-provoking speeches, impressing both their peers and teachers with their confidence and eloquence.

Michael Svoboda had the honour of being the first speaker at the Enfield Regional Finals, held at St. Ignatius College in February 2025. Opening a regional event like this is always a challenge, but Michael handled it with poise and confidence. His speech, “Our Dreams are Waiting,” was delivered with passion and clarity, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in the room.

Michael’s parents, sibling, and teachers were present to cheer him on, and they couldn’t have been prouder of his performance. His hard work and dedication were evident, and they watched with immense pride as he stepped onto the regional stage. While Michael didn’t make it to the top spot, his participation in this prestigious event was a huge accomplishment. He represented Enfield Grammar School with pride and his performance was definitely a standout moment of the evening, a clear demonstration of his hard work and passion, marking the beginning of his journey as a public speaker.

#publicspeaking #boostingconfidence #mentoring #learningaskill #studentachievement #enrichment #jpspeakout #speakoutchallenge