I was encouraged by reading of Keir Starmer’s ambition to put speaking lessons at the heart of the curriculum (Keir Starmer says he is as ‘laser-focused on poverty’ as Tony Blair was in 1997, 6 July). Despite this causing some to fear that schools would revert to children reciting “How now, brown cow”, oracy or public speaking lessons can build young people’s confidence and career prospects.
The charity I lead, Speakers Trust, has visited 600 state schools and worked with 35,000 young people – almost half of whom say they don’t have the confidence, skills or opportunity to share their ideas in public.
