In light of the recent publication of the ‘Speak For Change’ report into oracy, we explore its findings and what this means for schools. This round table discussion includes key voices, including Emma Hardy, who chaired the APPG report.
The report highlights the significant impact the pandemic has already had on the spoken ‘language gap’ between disadvantaged students and their peers. The report provides compelling evidence of the educational benefits of effective and purposeful talk at every stage of schooling and how a greater focus on oral language improves outcomes for the most disadvantaged students.
Book now to get your seat at the table.
Emma Hardy
Chair of the Oracy APPG
Emma Hardy was a teacher for 10 years before moving in to politics, initially with the National Union of Teachers, then becoming the Labour MP for Hessle and Hull West in 2017. Emma is a member of the government’s Education Select Committee and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Oracy.
Cheryl Bowers
Hull Local Education Authority
After helping develop the Sure Start Programme in Hull from 1999, Cheryl moved to the Hull Early Years Team. Her background as a Nursery Nurse made the perfect foundation for this role.
Cheryl is committed to ensuring that opportunities for young children, their families and Early Years Practitioners in the city, are innovative, exciting and inspiring so that outcomes do improve.
Laurence Pitt
Bristol Local Education Authority
After teaching for 15 years in Bristol, culminating in Executive Headteacher, Laurence supported schools in challenging circumstances as a Bristol Consultant Leader, Local and National Leader of Education.
Pete Ellison
Retired Head of English & Literacy at Havering Borough Council
Peter taught English and Media at a number of Inner London Comprehensive schools, eventually becoming Head of English at a large North London school. Peter was heavily involved with the KS3 strategy roll-out and worked for the DfE KS3 Strategy full time as a London Regional Director. Since then, Peter has held the role of English Inspector for the London Borough of Havering, until his recent retirement.
He has authored textbooks and teaching materials for BBC, Hodder and Stoughton, Channel Four and the Oxford University Press amongst others.
Chris Williams
Founder, Chatta
Chris Williams has over 20 years’ experience as a teacher with expertise in special education and curriculum innovation. He is the founder of Chatta, an innovative classroom approach that enables teachers to unlock oracy and create confident speakers. Chatta has been voted one of the world’s top 100 education innovations for 2019, 2020 and 2021. He is an expert in his field and has shared his work at conferences across the world.