• 81,725 students trained to date in public speaking and effective communication. 383,501 have heard them Speak Out
• "Great, great, great! This Challenge has built up my confidence massively!" Michael, Barnet
• £15,000 prize fund including 36 iPods and thousands of pounds worth of iTunes vouchers!
• "I've never had an iPod so thanks so much! It does so much more than I realised!!" Rianna, Chelmsford
• On track for 50,000+ unique website visitors this year
• "I completed the workshop at Mill Hill County High School in 2008. All the skills I learnt that day have helped me during sixth form and now university." Sara, Harrow
• Increase in confidence grows to 59.5%
• "Thank you ever so much for such an extraordinary experience and essential life skills training. It was certainly worth it!" Olumide, Newham
• 100% of teachers recommend the day to colleagues
• "A wonderful GCSE speaking and listening tool!" - Mr Fowler, Teacher, Islington
• 70% of schools now holding "Speak Out "Assemblies! - Over 50,000 students spectating.
• "The public speaking tips cascaded down to all Year 10 students" - Vinsia Mc Queen, London
• Students have spoken out on over 2000 topics and issues from Alcoholism to Xenophobia - here are the most recent top 5
• Stereotyping of young people, achievements, parents, knife crime and size zero
• "What we say is important... for in most cases the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Jim Beggs

The Workshop

Here is some information about your "Speak Out" Challenge! Workshop

So what happens at the workshop?

On the day you will learn how to speak in public and communicate easily with confidence and enjoyment.

The day is great fun, no boring lectures and very interactive, which means you will be practising the skills you are learning throughout the day.

"If only every day at school was like this" - Michael, Leytonstone School

How long will it last?

The workshop takes place at your school and it is a normal school day, lasting from first period to the end of the school day. You will have your breaks and lunch as normal.

"Make it longer than one day please, it was too fun for just 1 day" - Ladon, William Ellis School

Do I need to bring anything with me?

Just your ideas - you don't even need a notebook, as you will receive your own workbook to keep.

Taking part for the day means you will receive a special Jack Petchey's "Speak Out" Challenge! certificate.

"Wow! I thought it was going to be boring. It was amazing!!!"- Ross, Jo Richardson School

What happens if I am nervous?

Being nervous is normal, just another form of excitement. Most people learning a new skill are nervous at the beginning. You will discover as you start speaking in public that it gets easier and it is great fun.

"Such a cool experience. I feel more confident now. Thanks" - Claudia, La Sainte Union School

How many times will I speak?

You will have the chance to speak several times, learning how to think quickly and finding out how to prepare a speech and deliver it. It is much easier than you think!

You will be asked to give a short speech about yourself, only a minute in length.

You will also have an opportunity to "Speak Out", to give another speech on a subject that you feel really strongly about. You can talk about anything you want.

So why not start to think about things that motivate you, maybe something you want to change or an issue that is important to you. It is your choice, you can talk about anything YOU want.

" It's absolutely incredibly fantastic and I learnt almost too much!" - Ahmed, Henry Compton School

How many take part?

Jack Petchey's "Speak Out" Challenge! is open to between 25 and 50 students in Year 10. It is up to your school to pick the students taking part, so why not tell your teacher now that you are up for it and book your place.

"Very enjoyable & fun, but I feel sorry for others in my year who didn't get this chance" - Joel, JFS School