Young Orator of the Year Competition 2026: Finalists Announced

Twelve talented teenagers from across the UK have been shortlisted for this year’s Young Orator of the Year Competition.

More than 200 people entered the contest, which encourages young people to engage critically with academic research and contemporary issues and develop their oracy skills, while promoting the importance of effective public speaking among young learners.

Entries were open to state school students in Year 12 (England and Wales), S5 (Scotland), and Year 13 (Northern Ireland), and they were asked to create a five-minute presentation based on one of six questions:

1. Do protests do more harm than good in today's society?
2. Is tradition something that we should preserve or challenge?
3. Does cancel culture help society progress, or silence free speech?
4. Should AI ever be allowed to make life-changing decisions?  (For example - in Medicine, Law or Policing etc)?
5. Many theatre critics describe theatrical productions as 'vital'... Are they?
6. Are global tourism and sustainability fundamentally incompatible? 

Ahead of the grand final, which will take place in Gresham College on Wednesday, 1 July, the finalists were invited to attend a half-day, confidence-building and presentation skills workshop.

This provided an opportunity for them to familiarise themselves with Barnard’s Inn Hall and take part in a technical rehearsal.

The day also included sessions led by external coaches from the fields of science, psychology, and stand-up comedy. They focused on managing nerves, building confidence, refining timing and structure, and preparing effective responses to judges' questions.

Additionally, the workshop served as a valuable chance for the finalists to meet one another for the first time.

Schools Outreach Officer Jason Clapperton said: “The 12 finalists enjoyed coming together on Saturday for an intense day of learning, coaching and rehearsals. We’re grateful to the experts who came and shared their knowledge and experience to ensure each student has confidence in their presentation.

“Selecting these students was an incredibly difficult task as the standard of entries was incredibly high. However, those shortlisted have shown their energy, curiosity, and commitment to thoughtful public speaking. Now, we can’t wait to seeing them put their learning into practice and present their ideas in the final."The finalists are:

• Laura Byrne, Highbury Fields School, Islington
• Adithi Arun Prasath, Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, Brighton
• Khadija Kamaly, The Warren School, Romford
• Erika Fenocchi, Bishopbriggs Academy, Bishopbriggs
• Grace Allison, Dominican College Fortwilliam Belfast
• Sadie Bell, The Belvedere Academy, Liverpool
• Filip Szemiczek, Sir John Lawes Sixth Form, Harpenden
• Jack Parmley, The Green Room College, Windsor
• Laurena Anderson, The Coopers Company and Coborn School, Upminster
• Georgia Rice, Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke
• Labdhi Ostwal, The Henrietta Barnett School, Barnet
• Rayhrn Narula, Newham Collegiate Sixth Form, East Ham

Gresham College Provost, Professor Jane Shaw, is looking forward to meeting the finalists when they give their presentations at the finals on Wednesday, 1 July:

“We were delighted by the quality of the entries; we had to make some really difficult decisions to shortlist just 12 of them,” she said.

“Being shortlisted is a major achievement and the contest is an opportunity for these students to showcase their oratory skills. Each deserve their place in the final, and I know the judges will have a very hard time deciding who should take home the gold, silver and bronze prizes.”