SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Nathania Ewruje, from Red House School in Stockton, has been named as the best public speaker in the country!

Nathania was part of a team of Red House School Pupils, all aged just 16 years old, who represented the North-East at the National finals of the ESU (English Speaking Union) Public Speaking competition held at Cambridge University recently.

The team from the Norton school – consisting of Nathania Ewruje, Aditi Rangan and Olivia Brightling - performed exceptionally well on the day and Nathania was announced as the winner of the best speaker award at the finals making her the best public speaker in the country.

Nathania spoke on the topic of philosophy and its place in the modern world, with her speech clearing declaring that philosophy still has a firm place.

Headmaster, Mr Alex Taylor, said: “We are extremely proud of Nathania, Aditi and Olivia in reaching the finals of this prestigious competition representing both Red House School and our region. We are delighted that Nathania has been awarded the best public speaker in the UK, it is an outstanding achievement.

“We consistently perform very well in public speaking and this is the second year running that we have reached the finals of the ESU competition. Nathania also gained success earlier this year by competing in the finals of the National Poetry by Heart competition.

“At Red House we encourage pupils to excel in all aspects of school life. We provide a wide variety of opportunities for children to develop their individual gifts, talents, skills and knowledge so that they become confident individuals. This begins at a very early age in the Nursery and Infants School and continues all the way through to the Prep and Senior School. Children actively participate in school assemblies, give readings in church and undertake performances in school. Through these regular activities, accompanied with the unique family atmosphere at Red House, children are able to develop their confidence”