Filton Avenue Primary School in Bristol recently welcomed over 60 visitors from across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Wales to come and visit its school, and see how the staff implement Oracy from Reception all the way up to Year 6.
The school received an enormous amount of positive feedback, welcoming all those that attended and the lovely things they had to say about the school, its staff and the children.
“Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language,” explained Dan Rodeck Headteacher. “In school, oracy is a powerful tool for learning. It is also a route to social mobility, empowering all students to find their voice to succeed in school and life.
“Voice 21 is the UK’s oracy education charity – they work with schools to transform the learning and life chances of young people through talk. Voice 21’s Open Learning programme is designed to promote practice-sharing and collaboration between schools.
“Open Mornings are a fantastic example of how much schools can learn from one another and develop practice together. The days are designed so that a school can tell their own story and provide insight into the vision they have for oracy and the day-to-day practice they’ve embedded into school life.”
Over 60 school leaders from across Bristol, neighbouring local authorities and Wales signed up to attend the second Open Morning Filton Avenue Primary School have held since becoming one of Voice 21’s Centres of Excellence in July 2022.
Kate Paradine, Voice 21’s Chief Executive, joined the team for the day and said, “On my visit to Filton Avenue Primary School, teachers said the same as they do in other parts of the country – that seeing oracy in action is helping renew their love of teaching and restoring their hope in our education system.
“It was a complete joy for me to hear and feel the culture of oracy across all year groups at the school and to see the children’s brilliant speaking and listening skills. Voice 21 Centres of Excellence like Filton Avenue Primary School are beacons for a future when oracy will be an ordinary part of every child’s education and every child will have the speaking skills they need in school and in life.”