It was a pleasure to welcome Old Aylesburian Ben Ashton (Lee '16) back to Aylesbury Grammar School as adjudicator for this year's House Junior Public Speaking Competition.

After leaving AGS, Ben studied Italian at the University of Oxford, graduating in 2020 before spending time living in Italy to immerse himself in the country's language and culture. He now works for an education charity in Oxford, helping students of all ages explore their strengths and potential career pathways.

Many will also remember Ben's passion for drama during his time at AGS. He continues to perform regularly on stage alongside his professional career.

The competition showcased a series of engaging and thought-provoking speeches from our younger students. Congratulations to Hampden House, who claimed the overall victory, and to Abyaan, who was named Best Speaker for his moving speech, People Like Me.

Head of Middle School, Vanessa Beckley, praised all the students for their courage and the quality of their speeches, thanking Ben for returning to AGS to support and encourage the next generation of confident speakers.

We are always delighted to welcome Old Aylesburians back to AGS and thank Ben for giving his time and expertise to such an inspiring event.