Following the publication of the Oracy Education Commission’s report in October 2024, the Government has stated that oracy is a priority which is expected to be a focus in the curriculum and assessment review.
Oracy is the foundation of learning, shaping children's ability to think, communicate, and collaborate effectively. It underpins literacy, critical thinking, and overall academic success while fostering confidence and social-emotional development. This conference brings together leading experts, educators, and policymakers to explore practical strategies for embedding oracy across the primary curriculum.
Attendees will gain actionable insights into overcoming barriers to oracy, implementing inclusive and equitable approaches, and strengthening links between oracy, literacy, wellbeing, and broader curriculum areas.
“Oracy is not an optional extra – it is the foundation of learning, confidence, and success.”
Jean Gross CBE, Former National Communication Champion
“We want to move oracy more centrally into the experience of all young people in their journey through education. We want to see it become a key part of every teacher’s repertoire, whichever age groups they work with, or subjects they teach. We believe that alongside reading, writing and arithmetic, oracy is the fourth ‘R’: an essential, foundational building block to support our young people on their journey towards living fulfilling adult lives.”
Geoff Barton, Oracy Commission Chairman
“Oracy is the bedrock of learning. If children cannot talk about their thinking, they cannot develop it.”
Professor Neil Mercer, University of Cambridge
“Teaching children to articulate their thoughts clearly is just as important as teaching them to read and write.”
Emma Hardy MP, Oracy Advocate
Who should attend?
Primary school teachers, senior leaders, SEND coordinators, literacy leads, speech and language therapists, educational consultants, policy advisors, and anyone passionate about fostering communication skills in young learners.
This conference will enable you to:
Understand the critical role of oracy in cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Explore practical strategies to integrate oracy into classroom practice and school-wide culture.
Gain insight into overcoming barriers to oracy, including supporting disadvantaged pupils and neurodivergent learners.
Learn how to embed oracy into key curriculum areas, including literacy, STEM, and PSHE.
Develop skills to create an inclusive, talk-rich environment that enhances pupil engagement and learning outcomes.
Examine research on the long-term impact of strong oracy skills on academic success and employability.
Discover methods for assessing oracy effectively and tracking progress in line with curriculum goals.
Understand how oracy supports pupil wellbeing, confidence, and behaviour management.
Explore strategies for training and supporting teachers to develop their own oracy skills.
Learn how school leaders can drive a whole-school oracy culture and secure buy-in from staff, parents, and governors.
Identify tools, resources, and funding opportunities to support oracy initiatives in schools.
Examine case studies of successful oracy implementation in diverse primary settings.
Develop practical approaches to integrating oracy into daily classroom routines and collaborative learning activities.
