It is strange to think of the variety of talk there is: a podcast interview reflecting on life; a one-to-one with a colleague about an issue or initiative at work; a speech given by our students at the numerous events held at RGS throughout the year; and, of course, the more personal conversations with friends about the Euros.

In each of these examples, the type of spoken language changes - analytical or chatty, formal or informal, pointed or gentle, collaborative or decisive.

Yes, oracy is about  good public speaking and debating skills, but in reality it is much more; above all else it is about finding your voice. To work out who you are and what you believe. If reading opens up a world of imagination and possibility, then speaking and listening opens up a lifetime of empowerment - a chance for those who feel invisible in their own country to be heard. It is about the confidence to speak out, to call out injustice or harm.

Talk is the currency of politics, whether at a hustings or honing six questions to ask the prime minister in the bear pit of the House of Commons. It is their way of negotiating, deliberating, persuading and coming to decisions. It is also the skills our Debating Teams at RGS have honed down too, whether in English, French or German. The type of competition we most frequently enter follows the British Parliamentary style. Debaters compete in teams of two and for each debate are assigned a role to play: proposition or opposition; opening or closing half. 

Timothee Dussere Cordonier, Nirmit Nihal, Aayan Hussain, Umair Ashraf, Che Bole, Adam Yousuf

Six members of the Public Speaking & Debate Society competed in a Buckinghamshire Inter-School Debate Competition. They provided a masterclass in the clarity and precision of language, featuring the cut and thrust of on-the-spot responses, well-developed arguments and rhetorical flourishes of which any politician would be proud. 

Phenomenally, both RGS teams won each and every debate in their respective rounds, securing a place in the final. Motions debated explored the legalisation of euthanasia, social media damaging human communication, all UK schools becoming private, trans-athletes competing internationally, and finally, veganism as the future of humanity. Proposition or opposition, our boys impressed the judges and walked away with not just the competition trophy, but two individual awards: Best Debater and Best POIs. 

Considering that this was the competitive debating debut for four of the team members, the result was even more brilliant. 

Well done gents, on to the next!