Voice 21 responds to Schools White Paper


We welcome the Schools White Paper’s recognition of the importance of early language development, but the Paper represents a missed opportunity. A focus on language and communication is vital at all age groups, not just in early years, to give all young people the best possible chance to succeed in life. Evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) shows that oral language interventions are ranked as having a very high impact, at a low cost, particularly for young people’s literacy and attainment. Given the White Paper’s focus on evidence-based support and professional development for teachers, we urge the Government to heed the EEF’s research. Many of the Government’s formerly-designated ‘Opportunity areas’ did recognise this and prioritised their students’ oral language development. We hope to see this replicated in the new Education Investment Areas but call for oracy to be championed as a national education priority if opportunities truly are to be provided for all.

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