Voice 21 Oracy School - Centre of Excellence
We are a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence
(one of only 55 schools in England and only 2 in Sefton!)
We are proud to have been recognised as a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence for our work in developing children's Oracy (speaking and listening) skills.
Being accredited as a Voice 21 Centre of Excellence certifies and celebrates that we are leading the way in providing a high-quality Oracy education for children and acting as a beacon of good practice for over 1000 schools nationwide.
In Voice 21 Oracy Schools, students learn the Oracy skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
Why Oracy matters?
By teaching students to become effective speakers and listeners we empower them to better understand themselves, each other and the world around them.
- Speaking and listening skills are critical foundations for reading and writing.
- Students with better oral language skills are more likely to achieve the highest grades in GCSE Maths and English.
- Young people with good communication skills are less likely to have mental health difficulties.
As a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence, we put Oracy at the heart of our teaching and learning across all subject areas, enabling students to develop and deepen their knowledge and understanding through talk in the classroom.
We support our students to become articulate communicators who are able to present themselves confidently across a range of settings and contexts, from group discussions to formal presentations.
"Farnborough Road Infant School has a strong foundation for Oracy, with an ambitious vision which emphasises empowering children to confidently use their voices.”
“The vision for Oracy at Farnborough Road Infant School encapsulates key drivers for adopting an Oracy-rich approach to teaching and learning. Oracy is seen as a pedagogical tool that is used to develop pupils both academically and socially, preparing them for life beyond school.”
“Farnborough Road Infant School prioritises Oracy …..by linking talk to real-life contexts and authentic audiences, learning becomes purposeful.”
“Farnborough Road Infant School places Oracy at the heart of their curriculum, and excel in embedding both common and subject-specific approaches to talk through collaborative planning.”
“Oracy is central to learning at Farnborough Road Infant School, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and deeper engagement. Reduced reliance on writing allows students to express understanding through discussion to show what they know, and learn from one another. A deep understanding of the Talk Tactics ensures that discussion moves learning forward.”
A VERY PROUD HEADTEACHER!
This is a testament to the innovative and inspirational teaching by FRIS staff. This is already having significant impacts on our children’s learning, and will be of huge benefit to them as they progress throughout their education and their employment opportunities. FRIS Leading the Way in Oracy Education!
Feedback from Governors
Hayley Hinton : That's fantastic news and very much deserved! From a parents point of view, the strength it holds within the school is testament to all the hard work put in, and the impact reflects that. Well done to all involved!
Linzi Buchanan- Brown: That’s fabulous news! Well done to everyone involved.
Neil Farmer: That’s great news and recognition of the hard work of staff and especially Miss Sykes's leadership of Oracy across the school.
Lucy Fletcher : What fantastic news and many congratulations to all the staff involved. Miss Sykes in particular should take great pride in this her hard work and dedication have really paid off. Well done FRIS
Further information about Voice 21
Voice 21 is the UK’s leading Oracy education charity. It works with schools to transform the learning and life chances of young people through talk so that all children can use their voice for success in school and in life. Since its launch in 2015, it has worked with over 1200 schools and 10,000 teachers across the UK, reaching more than 290,000 students through its work.
Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language. In school, Oracy is a powerful tool for learning; by teaching students to become more effective speakers and listeners, we empower them to find their voice for success in school and life. It underpins young people’s progress and development: their literacy and numeracy, academic attainment, wellbeing, confidence and future prospects in further or higher education and employment.