Failing to teach public speaking in schools is hurting UK business

In June 2026, the UK Government published a laudable new framework to improve enrichment activities in schools. School leaders will be expected to provide more extracurricular activities, such as dance, sports teams, time in nature and community volunteering, to make students more well-rounded and ready for work.

 

Ofsted will look at schools’ enrichment as part of how it assesses personal development. Our workforce needs young people whose experience and skills extend beyond maths, science and English.

 

But amid talk of camping trips and theatre visits, the framework fails to prioritise an activity that most students are denied, leaving them ill-equipped for the business world.

 

Public speaking is a vital skill, no matter what industry you work in. It helps you make persuasive sales pitches, confident company addresses and lead inspiring team meetings. Yet a lack of school plays, speech days, a 40% drop in students taking drama GCSE, and less than a fifth of state schools operating debating clubs means there is scant opportunity for pupils to acquire.

 

Whether through lessons or extracurricular activities, giving pupils real experience and training in public speaking, including presentations, must become a core part of school life. The education system is failing young people and the UK business sector.

 

Profound problems exist for Andy Burnham and new Education Secretary Lucy Powell to address. Official statistics show that some one in seven UK businesses with a skills gap cite presentation and speech-making as a weakness. Companies report that younger workers have had to have training in how to speak in client meetings and on the phone

 

The UK economy will never be as competitive or efficient as it could be without staff who have the power to convince overseas customers to buy their products or leaders who can motivate colleagues around new ways of working or meeting ambitious company goals.

 

I have coached corporate speaking to staff from major firms, and I’ve seen the rapid, positive impact it can have on sales results, company communication and interaction with customers. Schools could be using similar techniques for everyone.

 

 

More investment in drama

The number of students studying drama at A level has dropped by more than half since 2010, according to research by Campaign for the Arts. Plays and speech days used to be a mass-participation staple of most schools, even if that was a Christmas pantomime. Drama teacher numbers have been cut, and resources are too finite to stage events.

 

It’s understandable that, in the recent past, headteachers have focused limited funds on “academic” subjects. But it doesn’t make as much sense in the AI age. We are living in a world where communication skills, expressing ideas and working collaboratively – and nowhere does this happen more than rehearsing a play – will be more increasing more important than being able to compile a report, say, or the maths needed for accountancy.

 

 

The enrichment framework is great, but funding pledges are poor

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has pledged £22.5 million over three years to create enrichment activities. But this will only help up to 400 schools, likely in deprived areas, and is expected to cover everything from museum trips to music classes.

 

That won’t touch the sides for the sort of money that is needed to create public-speaking skills for the next generation, let alone funding all the other extra-curricular projects the Government is keen to promote.

 

Spending money on speaking skills won’t be cheap, but it is likely to have a net benefit to the UK economy. That logic needs to be at the forefront of the new Labour administration’s mind.

 

 

Put debate in the new national curriculum

Former Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had said she wants classroom debating to be more common. Assuming plans don’t change, a revised national curriculum is due next year, and she said she wanted debating to be a part of it.

A Sutton Trust survey found that 53 per cent of private schools have a debating club or similar. State schools need to catch up, to help pupils from diverse backgrounds find their voice, benefiting themselves and the workplace. Let’s hope Lucy Powell keeps to this social mobility-boosting commitment.

 

 

Making meetings less boring!
Most businesspeople have sat through tedious talks about company results or department aims. Schools can show students how to speak engagingly, communicate key messaging and use visual aids.

 

Developing techniques around pacing, breathing, emphasis and tone can make one more effective in everyday business conversations, as well as in front of an audience.

 

Confident speakers are more likely to build good working relationships and manage up and down, dealing with sales teams, manufacturing workers or CEOs.

 

 

Coping with anxiety

Performing in a play or speaking in front of a large audience of parents, teachers and fellow pupils teaches you about performing under pressure. It sets you up to address an expectant audience of colleagues or deal with awkward team and client questions.

 

Some 75% of the population have a fear of public speaking. As a PhD graduate in “public-speaking anxiety and performing under pressure”, I bring my knowledge to public-speaking coaching and have seen the tremendous changes in confidence it can bring.

 

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Dr Alexander McWilliam is the founder and managing director of public-speaking training consultancy Improv4Business

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and jacoblund