On Tuesday, 11th March, we were delighted to welcome renowned storyteller Mike Dodsworth for an engaging oracy workshop hosted by Holy Trinity C of E Primary School.

Mike captivated the children with the fascinating tale of King Longbeard, his adventurous and fearless princess daughter, and King Shortbeard and his son, the most handsome prince in the world. Following the storytelling session, he led an inspiring masterclass on the art of confident public speaking.

Building on this experience, the participating children will now refine their existing presentations or craft new ones for their school finals. Each school’s winner will earn a place on an exclusive summer-term excursion before delivering their final presentations to a panel of judges in Term 6.

Beyond developing their public speaking abilities, this competition empowers students with essential life skills such as confidence, critical thinking, and effective communication. The experience enhances their ability to speak persuasively and encourages them to express their passions with clarity and conviction. For many, this will be the beginning of a lifelong journey in leadership and storytelling.

Many thanks to our School Improvement Team for organising the event, to Mike for his fantastic workshop, to Holy Trinity for hosting, and to all the pupils and staff from participating schools for their enthusiasm and engagement!