Shawlands wins COPFS-backed Glasgow schools contest

Shawlands Academy has won the final of this year's Glasgow Schools Public Speaking Competition, organised by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service.

At the Scottish Prosecution College last night, Shawlands came out on top against Rosshall Academy, John Paul Academy and Kings Park Secondary School, on the topic: “There would be no hate crime in Scotland if..."

Shawlands Academy will now go on to the west of Scotland final where they will face winners of other competitions in the west of Scotland.

The COPFS-organised Glasgow contest began in 2012 and is now an annual event. Its major aim has been to continue to encourage young people from across the city of Glasgow, and in particular schools which have not had a tradition of competing in public speaking, to enter the start of their public speaking careers.

The subject matter of the speeches has always been designed to prompt discussion and debate about diversity and equality issues affecting the children of Glasgow.

Jennifer Harrower, Procurator Fiscal, Homicides & Serious Crime, West of Scotland, who presented the trophy to the winners, said she was delighted with the high standard of competition.