2026 Programme

Dr Kate Paradine

Kate Paradine, CEO of Voice 21, reflects on recent changes in the policy landscape and the progress of the oracy movement in schools. She will explore what these developments mean for a generation of young people and outline how Voice 21 will support the sector to seize this opportunity, ensuring that all children—particularly those facing economic disadvantage—have access to high-quality oracy education.

Professor Jessie Ricketts

Reading is in the spotlight. In 2026, the National Year of Reading aims to boost outcomes and inspire a love of reading, while a new Year 8 reading test has been announced to raise standards. Research shows that oracy underpins reading, which in turn promotes oracy. In this session, Professor Jessie Ricketts explains why caring about reading means caring about oracy—and why the two must go hand in hand.

Dr Rupert Knight

As 16-year-olds prepare to get the vote, helping young people find their civic voice is more important than ever. Based on research for a new book, including extensive classroom observations, Dr Rupert Knight outlines how we can ensure oracy education develops student agency and fosters civic participation.

Please note that sign up for this session will be required

The Curriculum Review has recommended developing non-statutory guidance on oracy: a national oracy framework for primary schools, and a combined reading, writing and oracy framework for secondary schools. These frameworks aim to support leaders with practical strategies, evidence-informed approaches and examples of best practice.

In this practical session, we will explore what oracy looks like in practice and consider how a national framework could capture and support these approaches. You will leave with a clear understanding of oracy and practical ideas for embedding it within teaching and learning across your school or trust.

Amy Gaunt

Over the past ten years, Voice 21 has worked intensively with more than 2,500 schools to help them embed high-quality oracy education. At this pivotal moment for oracy, Voice 21’s Amy Gaunt shares 5 key lessons learned about implementing oracy across whole schools, ensuring it is sustained and benefits our most economically disadvantaged learners.

Sir Martyn Oliver

Oracy has recently been included in Ofsted’s updated School Inspection Toolkit, which recognises oracy as a foundational skill alongside literacy and numeracy. In this session, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, explains why Ofsted made these changes, what they mean for schools moving forward and how they fit into the wider framework for inspection.

Professor Julia Snell

Research shows that oracy-rich, “dialogic” approaches to teaching and learning can have significant impact in schools serving economically disadvantaged students. Yet, Professor Julia Snell’s recent research highlights how these students are often excluded from such opportunities. In this session, she explores the challenges that confront teachers who seek to promote dialogic approaches in these settings and considers how we can overcome these so that every child can benefit from oracy in the classroom.

Louisa Reeves, Director of Policy and Evidence at Speech and Language UK

In this session, Louisa Reeves, Director of Policy and Evidence at Speech and Language UK, outlines what schools need to consider to ensure their focus on oracy benefits all children, including the two million who are behind with their talking and understanding words. She will share practical approaches schools can take to ensure all children develop the speaking, listening, and communication skills they need to thrive at school and beyond.

Please note that sign up for this session will be required

Following its popularity last year, we’re bringing this immersive session back. Experience a real-life oracy-rich lesson, where you’ll be learning through talk. In this practical session, you’ll try out a range of Voice 21’s oracy teaching and learning approaches, applied in context to a curriculum subject. You’ll make meaning, deepen understanding, and build your knowledge through talk. Leave with a clear sense of how oracy can elevate learning across the curriculum in primary and secondary classrooms.

Coco Khan

Coco Khan, podcaster, writer, and presenter, knows the power of speaking up—through her podcast and her work on social justice. In this motivating session, she will reflect on why oracy has been important in her own journey and inspire educators to consider why helping young people find their voice and be heard should be central to their practice.

Sonia Thompson

Sonia Thompson, Headteacher of St Matthew’s Research School and trustee of Voice 21, reflects on the key themes of the day and outlines practical steps schools can take to build on the step change in oracy, ensuring all children have access to high-quality oracy education.