Scholarship Through Speech

This year, we introduced our first school-directed course for GCSE students: Scholarship through Speech.

Building on the strength of our award-winning oracy programme, South Hampstead’s new course is designed to give GCSE students an excellent grounding to prepare for future study and the ever-evolving modern workplace. Students have the autonomy to pursue their own academic interests from an interdisciplinary perspective and learn to read complex material critically; conduct detailed independent research; and develop advanced oracy skills across a range of contexts and formats. This year, 14 students have chosen to take this course as one of their ten subject choices at GCSE-level.

The course is assessed through oracy, including pupil contributions to class discussions and a viva-style assessment in Year 11. The aim is to produce independent thinkers who can analyse and articulate ideas cogently, generating incisive and informed opinions that they are able to defend aloud. Students engage in a significant amount of long-form reading of an academic nature – as well as engaging with interviews and listening to podcasts – and take part in a range of public-speaking activities.

As part of the course, which is devised and accredited by South Hampstead, students will complete a Higher Project Qualification: an independent research qualification worth half a GCSE and accredited by AQA.  Our teachers have already been impressed by the girls’ curiosity and confidence to take ownership of their own progress as researchers, thinkers and speakers:

“The students have shown a real willingness to learn and contribute, whether they are discussing parliamentary debate speeches or advocating for the positions of different scholars on John Donne’s religious conversion….  They have not been simply presenting their thoughts but also responding to alternative viewpoints and tricky questions… While there is lots of agreement, they aren’t afraid to disagree agreeably, or challenge (politely) ideas they don’t see eye to eye on… No lesson passes without my being reminded of just how impressive South Hampstead students can be.”    

As well as this new course for GCSE students, all Year 7 pupils now have lessons in Oracy & Critical Thinking – a course which encourages them to explore topical issues and develop the ability to listen carefully and engage with others in a productive, thoughtful manner.