A WIRRAL Primary School is to receive an award for its work developing students' speaking and listening skills.
Grove Street Primary School in New Ferry is to receive an Oracy Centre of Excellence award from the national oracy charity, Voice 21.
Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language.
Voice 21 works with more than 1.000 schools nationally, and Grove Street Primary was one of 11 to have their oracy achievements recognised in the most recent round of applications.
The Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence award certifies and celebrates schools that are changing the way they educate by supporting students to find their voice - and as a result, are transforming their learning and life chances.
To secure its recognition, Grove Street Primary had to demonstrate the quality of oracy education being provided across five areas of school life: their school’s vision, culture, curriculum, learning and impact on students.
As a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence, Grove Street Primary will support other schools in the community and across the country, showcasing how oracy teaching can impact their students’ future education and employment opportunities.
Oracy has been shown to be as important as reading and numeracy in improving life outcomes for children and according to The Skills Imperative 2035, communication and collaboration skills are one of six ‘Essential Employment Skills’.
'We are extremely proud'
Lisa Walsh, Head of Grove Street Primary said: "We are extremely proud to be recognised as an Oracy Centre of Excellence by Voice 21.
"By putting oracy at the heart of our teaching and learning we have seen the incredible difference it can make to children of all ages and abilities learning and confidence.
"We are truly a school family at the heart of the community, going above and beyond to support children and families in our community."
Charles Hewitt, Deputy Head and Oracy Lead of Grove Street Primary added: “Oracy is integral to our inclusive approach, allowing all our children to find their voice and thrive inside and outside of the classroom."
In its 2021 report ‘Speak for Change’, the Oracy All-Party Parliamentary Group highlighted the importance of oracy education to improve academic performance, underpin literacy and vocabulary, support wellbeing and confidence, and enable young people to access employment and thrive in life beyond school.
Comment from Voice 21 CEO
Kate Paradine, CEO at Voice 21, said: "I’d like to congratulate Grove Street Primary on becoming a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence.
"It’s a testament to the innovative and inspirational oracy teaching by staff across school. This is already having significant impacts on students’ learning, and will be of huge benefit to them as they progress throughout school and in future education and employment opportunities.
"Grove Street Primary is part of the national oracy movement that is transforming the education system and preparing all students to use their voice to succeed in school and in life."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here