Smooth talk

Wetherby Senior’s Year 9 have been perfecting their arguments, and winning over their peers, as part of our School’s persuasive speech competition.

In their English classes before the half-term holiday, our Year 9 pupils completed a mini module on rhetoric and the art of persuasion, before taking time to prepare and write their own persuasive speeches.

Mr Chidell, from our English Department, explains: “Year 9 first delivered their speeches in class, with a winner chosen from each set. These winning speakers then went on to compete against each other, in front of the entire year group, with topics ranging from the virtues of Machiavelli to the plight of sweatshop workers.

“Our winning speech was delivered by Ben C, who was arguing for the right to go and eat lunch off-site. While this has not led to a change in our School policy on lunch for Year 9 pupils, Ben’s well-argued and passionately delivered speech certainly won over his year group.”

Persuasive speech should help convince an audience of a certain viewpoint, and building persuasive speech skills ensure young people learn how to communicate with others, as well as how speak clearly, present themselves well and articulate their ideas.


Wetherby Senior sixth formers have been snapping around London, taking photos of what our capital city means to them.

Wetherby Senior’s Autumn Term 2023 has been filled with accomplishments and achievements by our amazing School community.

Newsletter Autumn Term Week 5

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100 Marylebone Lane,
London W1U 2QU
2. Campus
Hannah House, 13-16 Manchester Street,
London W1U 4DJ
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