Our Project Activities
Below are details of the some of the ways that we have been using our project findings to engage with policymakers, educators and the general public.
Policy Roundtable in the Houses of Parliament on ‘The Productivity Case for Oracy’
In May 2025, in association with the English Association, we organised a policy roundtable in Parliament to make the case that oracy can be an engine of productivity for the UK economy. We brought senior figures from KPMG, exam boards AQA and Pearson, the Department of Education, the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the National Literacy Trust, the Children’s Commissioner for England.
Action Research Projects with State School Leaders
Since 2022, in association with the English Speaking Union, we have been running annual scheme for teachers and school leaders from across the UK to attend CPD training in central London and develop oracy programmes in their schools, before presenting their findings at annual conference at the ESU’s Dartmouth House. The most recent conference took place in October 2025.
For information on this scheme or how your school can apply to take part click here
Working with Exam Boards to reform GCSE English
In the spring of 2025, Tom Wright was invited by the exam board Pearson AQA to feed in to the reforms of their GCSE English qualifications. Alongside other experts and practitioners, he helped develop ideas for how exam boards can incorporate speaking and listening into the qualifications of the future.
You can see Tom’s summary in the video here. To watch a range of other contributions and to read Pearson AQA’s report click here
Brighton and Hove Young Speakers’ Challenge
Since 2024, in association with Brighton and Hove Council we have been running an annual public speaking competition for all ten state secondary schools in the city. Pupil premium students take part in oracy training in their schools before taking part in a special speech delivering ceremony on campus each summer.
For information on the scheme see here
We Need to Talk (2024): The Oracy Education Commission Report
During 2024, our team made substantial contributions to We Need to Talk, the official report of the Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England. Stephen Coleman was a member of the 9 person Commission.
You can read the full report here and a summary report here
Speak for Change (2021) All Party Parliamentary Group for Oracy Report
In 2021, Arlene Holmes-Henderson was the author of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Oracy’s report into the future of speaking and listening education in England and Wales.
You can read the full report here
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