ST Antony's Catholic College GCSE English students were given a masterclass in the art of communication by speech experts Talk the Talk.

The Urmston church school is only the second school in Trafford and the fifth in Manchester to use the national charity's skills.

Lee Moore, Talk the Talk's regional manager, explained: “Our workshop covers both examination technique helping students to perform clearly and confidently for the new oral element of their GCSE, but is also designed to prepare them for the world of work and those all important first interviews.”

Students spend a full day each preparing a one and half minute presentation which is filmed and discussed by the group with the tutors giving each student some critical feedback.

Individual, pair and group activities teach and develop the use of structure in presentations, essay writing and exam answers and at the end of the day every pupil has a comprehensive workbook that they will use within the workshop and keep as a valuable revision resource for the future.

St. Antony's English teacher, Kim Potter, said: “We believe this is an absolutely vital element of our children's school careers. Many of our pupils are natural communicators in the playground but freeze in front of authority and we want to instil the sort of confidence and self belief seen in pupils at public schools like Eton and Westminster. W

"We want them to talk the talk so they can walk the walk.”

Pupil Tia Blisset, aged 15, said: “I thought this was fantastic. the tips about eye contact and speaking slowly were really valuable, I felt my speaking style had improved significantly by the end of the day.”

Oliver McCaul, also 15, added: “The main lesson for me was simple - fail to prepare and you prepare to fail.”