Lenny and other attendees at the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance launch event on 5 February 2025. Credit: Speech, Language and Communication Alliance.
Making oracy inclusive is working to make sure the 1 in 5 children with speech and language challenges get the education they need and deserve.
The Campaign
Two million children in the UK struggle to talk and understand words, but the UK education system isn’t designed around their needs. In fact, their needs are often forgotten completely. That’s why, in 2025, the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance decided to act.
Their campaign group is made up of representatives from across the charity sector, coming together to speak up for children and young people. The campaign focused on influencing the Oracy Commission and the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review. They needed to make sure any changes to the curriculum had children with speech, language, and communication challenges at their heart.
The Making Oracy Inclusive team held a roundtable with the commission, made recommendations, joined consultation events, and provided briefings. Their members spoke up with one united voice and created opportunities for children and young people – experts by experience – to speak directly to policymakers and parliamentarians.
Lucy speaks at the launch event of the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance on 5 February 2025. Credit: Speech, Language and Communication Alliance.
Making sure every voice is heard is at the heart of what we do. That’s why being shortlisted for an Amplifying Voices Award means so much. It recognises the diversity, community, and dedication of our campaign group and our supporters. And it shows that when we listen to children and young people’s voices, we can create real, lasting change.”
Jane Harris
Co-Chair, Speech, Language and Communication Alliance
The Change
When the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report came out, the Making Oracy Inclusive team were disappointed to see that there was no mention of speech, language, or communication. Determined to make sure that the unheard voices were considered, they got to work on social media to raise awareness and secured crucial extra meetings with decision makers as a result.
This had a big impact. The final report’s very first recommendation was a commitment to an oracy framework for both primary and secondary schools. What’s more, the report used an inclusive definition of oracy that was based on their proposal to the Oracy Commission.
The Government has since accepted this definition of oracy in its response to the review and is now setting out an oracy framework for both primary and secondary schools using it, too. This will be transformative for children and young people nationwide, and we’re confident that this is just the beginning.
The Future
SLCA co-chair Jane Harris says “It’s been amazing to see the Government finally listen to children with speech, and language challenges, but our work is far from over. The Government has big plans to reform the support that children with special educational needs and disabilities get at school. We need to make sure that children and young people who struggle with talking and understanding words are included in those plans. Speech, language, and communication skills are the foundations of a child’s future – their education, friendships, wellbeing, and so much more. They should be the foundations of the Government’s reforms, too.”
Who else was involved?
The children and young people who shared their stories; the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance (made up of 37 organisations); Geoff Barton; and the Pears Foundation.
