Throughout the two weeks we hosted fantastic teachers from Voice 21 Oracy Schools around the country, who shared their innovative practice with our oracy community in a series of Teacher Masterclasses. These practical events were full of ideas from oracy assemblies to reflections on building a whole school culture of oracy, for teachers to take away and implement in their own classrooms. 

Alongside Teacher Masterclasss, attendees were treated to insights from oracy experts including, Emma Hardy MP who championed the benefits of a high quality oracy education, Siena Castellon who shared her experience of school as a neurodiverse individual and Matthew Kay on leading conversations around race in the classroom.

The two-week event came to a close with inspiring words from senior leaders in education, Peter Hyman(Co-founder of Big Education Trust), Sir Tim Brighouse ( Former Chief Commissioner for schools), Dame Alison Peacock (CEO, Chartered College of Teaching), Professor Neil Mercer (Emeritus Professor of Education) and Roy Blatchford (Founder of the National Education Trust) who called for speaking and listening to play a central role in curriculum reform post Covid-19. 

Beccy Earnshaw, CEO of Voice 21 closed the event by remarking that:

“This is a moment for hope, in what are such difficult circumstances for teachers and headteachers. There is an opportunity now to call for this change” 

A huge thank you to all teachers, students and organisations who participated and attended – we very much look forward to seeing you again in the future! 

You can see more Oracy October content below:

Get a taster of our Teacher Masterclasses

Catch up on our key conversations

Find out about the future of oracy education