At the beginning of the school year, around 14 Year 12 students attended a workshop with the Speakers Trust to improve teamwork, public speaking, and creativity. After a Dragons’ Den-style activity, 6 of us were picked to represent the school in the real competition. The day after, our team had a virtual meeting with our mentors, whom we told our initial idea: wanting to make an app to help school leavers into employment, and gathered feedback on how to develop it for the competition. Our team met up 3 times a week, once afterschool with our mentors and twice in school without. In these meetings we not only developed our ideas but got to know each other, giving supportive feedback on how to improve our presentation slides and our speeches. As the day of the competition came closer, our meetings became more frequent, even meeting outside of school. On the final school day before the competition, we had another workshop with the Speakers Trust, where we refined our speeches and improved our delivery, ensuring they were ready for the day of the competition.

Finally came the day of the competition, where we travelled to the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London. We felt so honoured to even be in such a beautiful building, let alone get the chance to speak to three highly esteemed judges who we presented our idea to, as well as conferring with other competing schools. The atmosphere was full of excitement and nerves from the minibus, to the train, to Pret where we had lunch! We spent the day rehearsing, enjoying the provided snacks, and getting to know our way around the building. The day was extremely productive, but we still had our fair share of laughs. Even though we didn’t win, the experience and skills gained will stick with us for the rest of our lives. We are so grateful to have been a part of the Livery Academy Awards and if given the chance would definitely do it again.

- Lydia & Ruby, Year 12

All photographs copyright Kris Piotrowski