The Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England has published its final report, We Need to Talk.
Young Citizens welcomes the report’s finding that oracy should be recognised as the fourth “R” of education – equal in status to reading, writing and arithmetic.
The Commission was launched in March 2024 by Voice 21, an oracy charity founded by Young Citizens trustee Beccy Earnshaw.
The recommendations
Following Keir Starmer’s commitment to place speaking skills at the heart of the curriculum, the report provides a framework for the government to make oracy an ordinary part of every child’s school experience. It wants to see:
- an increased emphasis on oracy education to better prepare all young people to become fulfilled future citizens and combat increasing polarisation and misinformation;
- recognition of the essential role of oracy as a building block for reading, writing and students’ academic progression through school;
- acknowledgement of the rising importance of oracy skills in an AI-transformed labour market to ensure young people are well-prepared for success in the workplace.
Young Citizens supports Voice 21’s recommendations, hoping they create a systemic shift in access to oracy education in England – especially when used in tandem with robust citizenship education.
Immersive programmes such as the Mock Trial Competitions and debate-based classroom activities such as our Mock Parliament resource have public speaking and oracy skills at their heart.
A compelling case for oracy
Voice 21 CEO, Dr Kate Paradine, said “This landmark report makes a compelling case for oracy to at last take its rightful place alongside literacy and numeracy at the core of our education system. It is now incumbent on us all to ensure that the recommendations are enacted to unlock the opportunity of oracy education in every classroom. ”
“At Voice 21 we believe that schools have the power to change a child’s life and create a fairer society. That is why we look forward to working with teachers, school leaders and policy-makers to make the ambition of We need to talk a reality for this generation of children and young people.”
Ashley Hodges, CEO at Young Citizens, said: “Oracy should not be the preserve of those in independent schools or debate clubs. We all need this it to express our views and advocate for what we believe. Citizenship and civic participation are great ways to develop speaking skills. When children and young people have opportunities to put it into practice, they build confidence, agency and a sense of belonging.”
“But this work has to start young. That is why we are delighted it is now a focal point of British education and is being taken seriously by the new government. Young Citizens welcomes being a supporting pillar for educators to deliver oracy-building activities and learning in their school, from Key Stage 1 onwards.”
Where next?
- Discover our library of teaching resources
- Explore our immersive programmes
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