Lostwithiel Primary School has been recognised as an Oracy Centre of Excellence by national oracy education charity, Voice 21, for its work developing learners’ speaking, listening and communication skills.

Lostwithiel was chosen to receive the status of ‘Oracy Centre of Excellence’ out of the 1200+ schools that Voice 21 works with annually.

Oracy, like reading, writing and arithmetic, is a foundational skill that ensures learners thrive at school and in life. As a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence, the school acts as a beacon of good practice for oracy across the school system.

The charity praised the school on its whole-school approach to oracy and how it has been successfully embedded within the curriculum.

Headteacher, Elaine Badger said “We have embraced oracy because we want our children to leave Lostwithiel Primary School as confident, articulate young people who know how to socialise, listen, collaborate, present their ideas and engage positively with the world around them."

Research into the impact of oracy indicates that spoken language skills are one of the strongest predictors of a child’s future life chances but too many children are not given the opportunity to develop these crucial skills.

Lostwithiel Primary School’s work is helping to ensure learners build strong communication skills that enable them to think critically and express their knowledge, ideas and understanding with peers and teachers.

Dr Kate Paradine, CEO of Voice 21, says: “The Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence award certifies and celebrates schools that are changing the face of education. Lostwithiel Primary School has demonstrated the quality of oracy education being provided.”