Meet Grand Finalist, Taylor Lovegrove

After a challenging pandemic with far reaching consequences for schools, students and oracy skills, the Jack Petchey Foundation recognised and responded to the needs of young people. They made it possible for more than 30,000 students to be part of the Jack Petchey “Speak Out” Challenge! this academic year alone, making this the highest number of students ever trained on the programme in such a short amount of this.

The Jack Petchey “Speak Out” Challenge! provides year 10 students in state schools across London and Essex with public speaking and communication training to increase their confidence, sense of agency and drive to make a difference in society.

During the academic year, over 400 schools have received a free one-day public speaking workshop for their students. The student’s confidence in speaking to an audience, without notes, is measured at the beginning and at the end of the day. During 2021-22, 77% of students have increased their confidence to stand up and talk to a group of people. At the end of the day, every school nominates one student to go on to the Regional Final, where they compete again other school finalists and their speeches are judged based on content delivery and structure by a panel of esteemed judges. After going on to win the semi-finals, our 15 most inspirational, articulate, and impressive speakers are now ready to present their speech to you!

We will celebrate the achievements of these awe-inspiring young people in the heart of London’s West End at Cambridge Theatre on Monday 18th July and crown the 2022 “Speak Out” Champion!

In no particular order, meet Grand Finalist Taylor Lovegrove!

Taylor’s speech ‘13 Words’ earned them and their school, St Martins School, a place in the West Essex Regional Final. Taylor shares his views on Autism and the qualities that, in his view, make the Autism a gift, not a condition. 

We asked Taylor, what three items or people would you choose to take to a desert island and why? 

“My Phone, My Brother and My Dog. My dog and brother would keep me entertained and my phone would allow to me communicate with the world.”

What three top tips on life would you give a Year Seven student?  

“Be confident, work hard and never give up.”

You could have made a speech anything in the world. Why did you speak about this one subject? 

“It’s a topic that’s very close and important to my family.”

And finally, how could this experience help you further any passions you have? 

“When I’m older I’d like to one day become a politician. In order to become an elected official I need to have the confidence to openly speak about a topic with passion.”

Watch Taylor’s winning speech 

Join us at the Grand Final for an inspiring night of young speakers.