Solent Rotary launch Youth Speaks 2026.

The 2026 Youth Speaks Competition got off to an excellent start with a very successful Local Southampton event held at King Edward VI School, Southampton on Monday 12^th January.

11 teams competed for a place in the District Finals, 3 Intermediate and 8 Senior. Oasis Academy Sholing, Southampton entered 1 Intermediate and 2 senior teams, Upper Shirley High School, Southampton entered 3 Senior teams, King Edward VI School, Southampton entered 2 Senior and 2 Intermediate teams and St Anne’s Sixth Form College entered 1 Senior team.

The Intermediate Competition was won by a King Edward VI School team, and the Senior Competition was won by 2 teams, 1 from Upper Shirley High School and the other from St Anne’s Sixth Form College. These 3 teams will go forward to compete in the District Final which is planned for March.

An essential requirement for all Youth Speaks Competitions is top quality Judges and we were fortunate to have 3 excellent Judges, Penn Kirk, as Chair, who was joined by 2 Southampton Solent Rotary members, Lorraine Pugh and Nick Vaughan. Another of our members, Paul Isted, did a great job as our Timekeeper.

A supportive and appreciative audience is essential at all the Youth Speaks events and is hugely welcomed by the teams themselves.  The day was very well supported by Rotarians, other students and their families and school staff. 

We were all very grateful to King Edward VI School for hosting the competition in its 1553 ROOM and for all the help and encouragement given by the teaching and non-teaching staff.