Calls Grow for Oracy to Be Central to UK Education Curriculum
In a powerful open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a group of notable figures—including children’s author Michael Rosen and former political strategist Alastair Campbell—have urged the government to fulfill his pre-election pledge to integrate oracy into England’s schools. The letter, signed by 60 advocates, demands that oracy, defined as the ability to use spoken language effectively, be established as the fourth fundamental skill in education, alongside reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Supporters of this initiative celebrated Labour’s 2023 announcement to prioritize oracy in educational reforms. However, concerns are mounting as it was omitted from the interim report of the government’s curriculum review earlier this year, prompting fears that it may not receive the attention it warrants. The full report is expected later this year.
Organized by Voice 21, a leading charity focused on oracy education, the letter emphasized the critical importance of communication skills in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. “In a world marked by advancing technology and social inequalities, the necessity of speaking, listening, and communication skills is more urgent than ever,” the letter stated.
Rosen articulated the profound impact of spoken language on identity and relationships, advocating for dedicated educational support to nurture these skills. Campbell echoed the sentiment, highlighting oracy as essential for building confidence and addressing societal polarization.
Other prominent signatories include author Jeffrey Boakye and Sutton Trust CEO Nick Harrison. Kate Paradine, CEO of Voice 21, reiterated the need for a comprehensive oracy framework within the national curriculum to ensure that every child benefits from quality education in communication.
A Department for Education spokesperson acknowledged the commitment to communication skills and noted ongoing investments in language development initiatives, promising a focus on how best to integrate these skills into the evolving curriculum. Final recommendations from the independent review are anticipated in the autumn.
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