The government’s education plans, announced today, set out ambitious aims to reduce the disadvantage gap – a goal we strongly support.

The ability to speak, listen and communicate confidently are essential skills for learning and for life. It’s encouraging to see oracy being recognised as a core skill alongside reading, writing and numeracy. We’ve long called for oracy to be given this prominence, and it was a central recommendation of the Oracy Education Commission in 2024.

We’re proud to see Woodhall Primary School, a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence that we work closely with (part of Unity Schools Partnership), featured as a case study within the government’s Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper. At Woodhall, oracy is fundamental to all teaching and learning, and is woven into the curriculum. 

When oracy education is a priority, we lay the foundations for every child to thrive and to make their voice heard, whatever their background. For children facing disadvantage, or who have additional needs, strong speaking and listening skills are particularly powerful.

These proposals are at an early stage, so there’s still much to be discussed, debated and decided. Real impact will depend on how these plans are implemented.

We look forward to contributing as the plans develop, and ensuring that these ambitions translate into meaningful change for children.