This episode focuses on how we can teach oracy and speaking skills in the classroom and across the school, with lots of practical tips, ideas, resources and advice as well as examples from the work of two secondary schools.

We discuss what oracy is – including the four strands of oracy skills – why oracy matters, the benefits of good oracy skills, what the national curriculum says about spoken language and student talk, and the impact we have seen on students’ speaking skills since Covid (spoiler: 44% of secondary teachers say the pandemic has hit oracy skills negatively).

We look at how we can teach oracy in the classroom and via the curriculum, including practical ideas and activities for the explicit teaching of oracy. We ask what high expectations for classroom talk look like and hear examples of practice from two secondary schools.

We consider whole-school strategies, including creating a culture where students feel able to speak-up, cross-curriculum planning for oracy, how to ensure consistent approaches, staff CPD, the role of extra-curricular clubs, and much more.

And we ask how we can best assess and monitor our students’ progress in terms of oracy.

This episode is hosted by SecEd editor Pete Henshaw and our guests are:

  • Amy Gaunt, Director of Learning and Impact, Voice 21, a national charity which works to transform the learning and life chances of young people through talk so that all children can use their voice for success in school and in life. Voice 21 supports a network of Oracy Schools. Amy is the co-author of Transform Teaching & Learning through Talk: The Oracy Imperative. Visit https://voice21.org/
  • Josephine Smith, Headteacher of Kesteven and Sleaford High School, part of the Robert Carre Trust in Lincolnshire. The school has used the teaching of oracy to develop the quality of student talk and make oracy a "golden thread" that runs through its Pupil Premium work.
  • Mel Carlin is the strategic lead for school improvement (secondary) at the Abbey Multi-Academy Trust, which is based in Leeds and includes eight schools. Mel is a passionate advocate of the importance of oracy to ensure a talk-rich education for all. Impact of her work was cited in the Parliamentary Report Speak for Change (2021), as well as in educational research led by Oxford University.

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For details about The SecEd Podcast, or to suggest future topics, email editor Pete Henshaw at editor@sec-ed.co.uk