Two Sefton schools have recently been awarded accreditation by the Voice 21 Oracy Project, recognising their commitment to communication and active listening skills. Kew Woods Primary and Farnborough Road Infant School have both been hard at work implementing new ways of speaking, listening and communicating right across their ages groups to build a network of communicators for the future!

Building Communication Skills

Developing good oracy skills has been proven to have a positive impact of children’s educational development as well as benefiting them in how they communicate with their peers as well as family and teachers. This programme comes amidst an increase in the number of children who are struggling with communication skills.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said:

“Being a good communicator can be the key to unlock opportunities in life and it is vital we help children to develop their skills, provide opportunities to practice these skills and give them support when they need it.

“This accreditation is testament to the innovative ways our schools are tackling issues around speech, communication and confidence in our children and I would encourage schools, community groups and even families to look at the techniques Voice 21 are introducing and unlock some of their own fantastic communication skills just waiting for an opportunity to be put into practice!”

Debating, Discussion and Active Listening

Through its accreditation programme, schools are recognised for their dedication to providing opportunities for students to develop and refine their speaking and listening abilities in a supportive and inclusive environment. The schools have been giving students practical tips for improving their discussion and debating skills as well as tools for active listening and group discussion in all their classes.

Christina Greaves, Headteacher at Kew Woods Primary said:
“Oracy has become a key element of the curriculum, with an emphasis on ensuring that all students have the opportunity to express themselves confidently and clearly.

“The Voice 21 accreditation is a testament to the school’s successful implementation of oracy practices which include a wide range of activities such as debates, presentations, group discussions, and collaborative learning projects to develop and practice these skills.”

Jennie Sephton, Headteacher at Farnborough Road Infant School said:
"We are incredibly proud to have achieved this accreditation. Developing strong oracy skills is vital for our students’ success, not only academically but in life beyond school.

“This accreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to providing students with the tools they need to communicate with confidence. Even the youngest members of our school community have seen a big impact and we are so pleased to see our children feeling more confident in their language skills.”

Communicators of the Future

The Voice 21 Oracy Project empowers schools to create a culture where speaking and listening are valued across all subjects, helping students to think critically, engage in discussions, and articulate their ideas and develop a whole host of skills from problem-solving and critical thinking to empathy and collaboration. Both schools will continue to work closely with Voice 21 to share best practices, access resources, and develop ongoing strategies for enhancing oracy across the curriculum.