Literacy and Oracy

Overview

The school-Based Oracy CPD Programme is an initiative led by Croydon Education Partnership in collaboration with Oracy Cambridge. It supports schools to develop a whole-school approach to oracy through high-quality, research-informed professional development.

The programme focuses on improving teaching and learning through effective classroom talk, while explicitly developing students’ speaking and listening skills. Schools are supported to embed oracy across the curriculum through three key areas: learning through talk, learning to use talk and learning about talk. Each school is supported by trained Oracy Lead teachers working alongside Oracy Cambridge specialists.

Impact

Early indicators show positive impact across schools:

· Students: Increased confidence in speaking and listening, improved participation and stronger communication skills

· Workforce: Greater teacher confidence in using dialogic teaching and embedding oracy across lessons

· Schools: More consistent approaches to oracy, with growing leadership and collaboration across settings

There is also increasing awareness among families and communities of the importance of spoken language for learning, wellbeing and future opportunities.

Sustainability

The programme is building long-term capacity through the development of Oracy Leads, structured CPD, lesson study and ongoing evaluation. Schools are embedding oracy into their development plans, with some acting as hub schools to support wider practice across the borough.

Strategic Vision

This programme is helping to establish a strong, borough-wide culture of oracy, improving teaching practice, strengthening student outcomes and preparing young people with the communication skills needed for future success.

Overview

The Croydon Early Years Oracy Development Project is a two-year initiative (from September 2025) led by the Croydon Education Partnership (CEP) in partnership with Little Wandle Foundations. It aims to strengthen early language, communication and oracy skills for children aged 2–5 across Croydon’s early years settings.

Through high-quality training, evidence-informed resources and a focus on parental engagement, the programme supports speaking, listening, vocabulary development and school readiness, aligned with the EYFS framework.

Impact

Early signs show positive impact across three key areas:

· Children: Increased confidence in speaking, improved vocabulary and greater engagement in talk-rich activities

· Workforce: Enhanced practitioner confidence and stronger use of oracy-focused teaching strategies

· Families: Improved awareness of early language development and stronger home–school partnerships

The project is also supporting children with SEND and those with English as an Additional Language (EAL) through more inclusive, language-rich environments.

Sustainability

The programme is designed for long-term impact through a two-year CPD offer, investment in resources and the development of a borough-wide professional network. It also has the potential to contribute to a future Croydon Literacy Mark.

Strategic Vision

By investing in early language and oracy, this project supports school readiness, reduces inequality and strengthens literacy outcomes across Croydon.