To deepen our thinking, we have also commissioned a series of exploratory papers outlining key areas of discussion on particular issues related to oracy education. These papers have been written by experts in different fields of education who have kindly lent their time and expertise to the Commission. Each paper provides an overview of lines of discussion and key dilemmas relating to a particular area of enquiry, finishing with a provocation for the Commission to consider. Ahead of the publication of the Commission’s final report and recommendations next month, we share these discussion papers with you in the spirit of open dialogue and debate, to let you see some of ‘our workings’ as it were.

“[Oracy]  puts the joy back into the classroom. Whether you’re studying science or history, the ability to listen to an adult explaining stuff to you, and then to be able to test those ideas with a person sitting next to you, and then to make an argument for whether you agree or disagree with something; that’s something we don’t need squeezing out of the classroom. It doesn’t come at any great cost. It will make teaching joyful, and the experience for young people also more joyful.”