Oracy in Schools
My holistic 'whole school' approach to teaching oracy includes working with practical activities and supportive methodologies to develop well-rounded communication skills that integrate mind, body and voice; re-centering oracy at the heart of educational spaces. ​
I offer oracy development programmes for all year groups as well as staff CPD training. Working with me often starts with a ​one-off Staff CPD inset day talk on integrating oracy skills across all departments. This can be followed by a ​course of 3 X half-day oracy workshops with student groups covering an introduction to applied oracy skills for oral storytelling, active listening, presenting, debating, and facilitation. Optional follow-up sessions and interventions are also available.
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Please get in touch if you are interested in discussing a booking or bespoke oracy programme for your school.
Oracy pioneers project
2020 - 2025
For the past 5 years I have designed and delivered the Oracy Pioneers Programme on behalf of Unique Voice CIC for The Bristol Education Partnership, a coalition of both fee-paying and non fee-paying Secondary Schools and Sixth Forms in Bristol.
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The project has a focus of tackling disadvantage through developing confidence and communication skills with selected student 'pioneers' from years 9 to12.
After receiving training in storytelling, active listening, presenting, debating and facilitation skills, with support from their oracy lead teacher, the pioneers go on to run their own oracy workshops with year 7 or primary students. Oracy modelling happens across staff, older and younger student groups, gradually shifting the oracy culture across the whole school.
Student Testimonials:
“I have learnt how to confidently speak out to others and how to make them feel comfortable.”
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“I pushed through my own shyness and modelled to the Year 7s how to talk confidently."
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Teacher Testimonials:
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“The Oracy Pioneers Project, and work we have done around oracy within the college has, without doubt, been a transformative component for our young people’s education. All those involved have grown in confidence, self-belief and leadership."
Vicki Haigh, St Brendan’s Sixth Form College
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“The Oracy Pioneers Project is an excellent opportunity for students to develop their oracy skills in a practical, hands-on way. It encourages the use of soft skills such as confidence, resilience, leadership and collaboration that can sometimes be missing from the classroom. Our students who participated in the programme now have a far better understanding of what oracy is and why it’s important for their futures.”
Laura Wyles, Cotham School
