Congratulations to  the Bennett  public speaking team made up of Joseph Sparke, Tom Smith and Isaac Strand for their excellent performance at the English Speaking Union Churchill Public Speaking Competition last night.

The Tunbridge Wells branch round of the UK’s largest public speaking competition for secondary school students took place at Tonbridge School on Tuesday 20^th February.  Despite stiff competition from six teams from three other schools (Tonbridge, Sutton Valence and Lingfield Notre Dame), the judges decided that the boys from Bennett were “clear winners”. Joseph was given high praise by the very experienced chief adjudicator, who revealed that Joseph had been awarded almost full marks for his performance as Speaker on the topic of selling arms to repressive regimes.  Tom also received extremely positive feedback for the humour and natural charm he brought to the difficult role of Chairman, and Isaac impressed the judges with his expert probing of the speaker from Sutton Valence in his role as Questioner, despite the difficult topic.

The boys will now progress to the South-East Regional Final in London, which is only one step away from the National Final.  The Regional Final will take place at

Dartmouth House, the ESU’s headquarters in Mayfair, on Wednesday 14^th March.  Good luck to Joseph, Tom and Isaac!