Teams from both Rokeby (pictured left) and Mulberry Academy Shoreditch took part in the 2024 Sheriff’s Challenge competition on 7th February 2024.

The question this year was “Should the City of London do more to improve learning and career opportunities for those from less privileged backgrounds?” Teams of up to six students had just eight minutes to address the topic.

As you might imagine, the topic had real meaning and relevance to the participants who really engaged with it. Researching it was a team endeavour and produced presentations with multiple perspectives which were communicated clearly and with passion. The quality and persuasiveness of some of the speakers was well ahead of their years.

Unfortunately, neither of WCCSA’s teams won the heat this year (both have done so previously) but both teams enjoyed the experience enormously. They enjoyed meeting up with the teams from other schools.

Detailed feedback is awaited from the judges but the standard this year was described as being higher than before.

Past Master David Lock mentored the Rokeby team and Past Master Ted Nicholl and Liveryman Angela Squire mentored the Mulberry team.

Although it was just one night in their lives, the experience of participating in the Challenge will live with the students for years and the skills they learnt will help them both in their studies and careers. WCCSA is to be commended for supporting the competition and the teams.