Adam Ravat, from St Ignatius College in Turkey Street, captivated an audience of nearly 1,000 people at Cambridge Theatre in central London

Adam Ravat (third from left) with his Jack Petchey trophy

An Enfield school pupil has triumphed in a regional public speaking competition using his “natural charm” to argue against weekend homework.

Adam Ravat, from St Ignatius College in Turkey Street, captivated an audience of nearly 1,000 people at Cambridge Theatre in central London last week, earning him the title of grand champion of Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge 2025.

The competition is the largest youth speaking programme in the UK with up to 35,000 year ten students (14-15 year
olds) in London and Essex state schools taking part this academic year alone.

Using his “natural charm and witty storytelling”, Adam entertained the judges and audience while sharing some personally observed truths. “I’m not calling for the total abolition of homework,” he said. “However, homework on the weekend stops us being sociable. We need more time to think about, care for and be ourselves.”

Adam had previously won the regional final earlier this year, taking him into this month’s grand final. For winning the whole competition he will now receive £2,000 for himself and £3,000 for his school, St Ignatius College, to be spent on a project of his choice.

Before receiving the title, Adam explained why it’s important for young people to share their stories. He said: “I believe that many young people support my argument but believe if they speak out, they will be ignored; I want to encourage other students to express their concerns over student mental health and make it the first priority in the school system”.

The grand final judging panel who declared Adam the winner comprised a mix of award-winning journalists, high-profile business people and media personalities.

One judge, professor Jason Arday, said: “I can’t quite get over how exceptional they are at such a young age and the confidence to be able to do that. The greatest compliment I could pay them is they are taking something that is fundamentally very difficult and making it look so, so easy.”

Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge is delivered in partnership by Speakers Trust and the Jack Petchey Foundation to encourage young people to develop public speaking and communication skills as well as building self-esteem and confidence. Now in its 20th year, over 35,000 young people in 507 state schools across 37 regions throughout London and Essex took part in this year’s challenge.

Two years ago, another Enfield pupil, Ethan Bousoula from Enfield Grammar School, was also crowned winner of the same competition after sharing his story of coming out and learning to value himself.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.