Autumn- Winter 2020 Version 1

Emma Hardy MP meets ESB ’ s Chief Executive and Trustees

Speech

As a member of The Oracy Network, ESB is proud to be part of the Oracy All-Party parliamentary inquiry Speak for Change , led by Chair, Emma Hardy MP, which is paving the way to improve oracy education in schools. Following on from submitting ESB ’ s written evidence to the Oracy APPG, Tina Renshaw was delighted to take the opportunity to meet with the Chair to showcase the benefits of ESB ’ s unique assessment methodology as part of the larger debate on Oracy. Joining the meeting were two Trustees of ESB, bringing their perspectives as educational practitioners of providing oracy assessments in disadvantaged areas of the UK. They were Avril Newman, Headteacher of London ’ s Sir William Borough Primary School, a state primary school serving the local communities of Tower Hamlets and Julia Ward, Managing Director of the South West ’ s Articulacy.

Our learners do, not because they thought they have done it wrong, but because they loved it! So, we believe it is a unique contribution in improving learners ’ oracy skills.

“ To really understand the value of ESB ’ s assessment methodology, you need to see it; to hear about the confidence that assessments bring, the enjoyment of actually participating in the assessment and the validation to so many learners that they have achieved! ” Sir William Burrough Primary School ’ s “ You Can Do It ” programme keeps pupils ’ levels of confidence and resilience high, something ESB strongly supports. Its classrooms are consistently alive with energy, passion and inspiration. The school has been completing ESB assessments for many years as it recognises the improvement in its pupils ’ self-confidence and communication skills. Says Avril: “ ESB assessments have been a great gift to our school. They give our pupils a structure and purpose and help them to find their voice. “ The speeches that my learners complete as part of their ESB assessment are very close to the heart and the culture of the community that I serve. They have the most enchanting experience with an ESB assessor and they then feel a sense of achievement when they receive a certificate at the end of it. Do not underestimate the joy of that golden ticket that those children take home, that they can share and display, that their families in overcrowded, intergenerational, non- English speaking homes have enormous pride in. ”

ESB Learners at Sir William Borough Primary School

Tina says: “ We offer our learners fantastic confidence building experiences to demonstrate the skills that they ’ ve developed in speaking and listening or oracy, and we do this through assessment. For many learners to have an adult (our assessor) listen to them, to what they have to say and to how they listen to their peers, to acknowledge and reward their work and effort is a singular and affirming experience.

“ ESB is an exciting opportunity and there ’ s not many times when learners come out of an assessment and say, ‘ Can I do that again please? ’

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