Schoolchildren from Colchester have been talking themselves into the national media spotlight.

Special classes to promote public oratory skills have brought a BBC radio crew to St John's Primary School to record its talented young speakers for a broadcast.

Headteacher Angela Konarzewsk said the school in Clay Lane Grove had been holding speaking lessons for several months and pupils were already showing the benefits.

Chatty girl: Katie Baker, of year six at St John's Primary School, Colchester, reads her book for Rachel Schofield, of BBC Radio Four, with other pupils taking the speaking lessons. Picture: STEVE ARGENT

"There is a huge difference in the children who have been doing it and there is an effect on other children who watch them doing it. It is very exciting to have this sort of interest in our school at a national level," she said.

Since the lessons started, the year six pupils have been speaking in church services at the school and doing poetry recitals.

They will also be taking exams run by the English Speaking Board.

Mrs Konarzewski said it was unusual for state primary schools to run speaking classes and St John's had a tutor come in for the extra-curricular sessions.

The radio show will be broadcast on BBC Radio Four for a show about promoting English speaking in schools.

Published Thursday, May 1, 2003

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