Leverhulme Academy Trust Schools Collaborate on Trust-Wide Oracy Project
Wednesday, 6th May 2026
Schools across Leverhulme Academy Trust are working together to strengthen pupils’ confidence, communication skills and voice through a Trust-wide focus on oracy.
The collaborative project has brought together staff and pupils from Lostock Primary School, Harper Green School and Rivington and Blackrod High School and Sixth Form, alongside partner primary schools The Gates Primary School and The Oaks Primary School.
Through school visits, shared learning and collaborative practice development, staff have worked together to strengthen approaches to high-quality classroom talk and create more opportunities for pupils to develop confidence in speaking and expressing their ideas.
The Trust has also worked alongside Professor Julia Snell to develop a socially just approach to oracy, recognising the important link between language, identity and opportunity.
Working in partnership with Professor Snell, leaders developed a Trust-wide Oracy Policy, establishing a shared vision and a set of agreed principles across all schools. This includes a commitment to inclusive classroom environments where all forms of communication, accents, dialects and home languages are recognised as strengths, and where pupils are supported to develop confidence in who they are and how they express themselves.
As part of the project, schools have reviewed opportunities for oracy across the curriculum, including a joint celebration of World Poetry Day, where pupils across participating schools took part in performances, discussions and creative activities celebrating the power of language and expression.
Vicki Guest, project lead, said: “Collaborative working has been at the heart of this project. Bringing schools together to share practice, learn from one another and work alongside leading research has had a powerful impact, not only on staff development, but most importantly on our pupils. We are already seeing increased confidence, engagement and a real sense that every child’s voice is valued.
“I would like to thank all of the schools involved for their commitment and openness throughout this work, as well as Professor Julia Snell for her invaluable expertise and support in helping us shape a truly inclusive and ambitious approach to oracy.”
The next phase of the project will focus on embedding the Trust’s Oracy Policy into everyday classroom practice across all schools.
The work is also gaining national recognition, with Vicki Guest set to join Professor Julia Snell at the UK Literacy Association Conference to share the Trust’s approach and showcase the impact of the project on a wider stage.
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