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Leading education charity Voice 21 has named Lostwithiel School as a national Oracy Centre of Excellence for its efforts to tackle the challenges of modern childhood.

The accolade recognises the school’s outstanding work in helping pupils develop their speaking, listening and communication skills.

Alongside the three traditional skills of reading, writing and arithmetic, oracy is often referred to as ‘the fourth R’. That’s because oracy is so crucial to young people’s ability to build strong relationships and to succeed in school and beyond.

Sadly, evidence suggests the screen age is causing these important skills to erode. 

With a rising tide of mental health concerns and communication needs among young people, the leadership team at Lostwithiel School decided to take action. Their whole-school approach means oracy is now part of every aspect of school life, from its vision and values to its culture and curriculum.

And the approach has been so successful that Voice 21 chose the school for this prestigious award from a 1,200-strong list of candidates. Among all the schools working with the charity, Lostwithiel becomes only the second school in the south west to receive the title.

As a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence, Lostwithiel School now becomes a beacon of excellent practice for schools all over the country. But most importantly, the children of Lostwithiel – and their parents – can be certain they are getting equipped with the tools to thrive in the 21st Century.

Why Oracy?

Growing national awareness of the impact of screen use by children reached a new milestone earlier this month when Sir Keir Starmer announced a social media ban for under-16s, coming into force in Spring 2027.

But a ban can’t be the sum total of our solutions. In 2024, the Oracy Education Commission published a report, We need to talk, calling for education leaders to make oracy into the ‘fourth R’ of modern schooling. 

That report went on to inform another key part of the government’s plan for childhood: its review of the national curriculum.

Why Lostwithiel? 

Dr Kate Paradine, CEO of Voice 21, said: 

“The Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence award certifies and celebrates schools that are changing the face of education. Lostwithiel School has demonstrated the quality of oracy education being provided across five areas of school life: their school’s vision, culture, curriculum, learning and impact on students. 

This whole school approach is at the heart of what it means to offer high-quality oracy education, which will enable every child to use their voice to thrive in school, work and life.”

Mrs Elaine Badger, Headteacher at Lostwithiel School, said: 

“While technology brings many benefits, it can also mean that children have fewer opportunities to develop the spoken communication and social skills that previous generations learned naturally through everyday interactions. 

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

Escaping the screens

Lostwithiel School is committed to helping children develop the confidence and social skills needed to thrive in the modern world. In addition to Oracy, the school is proud to offer extensive Forest School provision within its woodland grounds, with every child taking part in at least one Forest School session each week as a protected part of the curriculum.

Mrs Badger commented: 

"One of the aspects that makes Lostwithiel School so special is the opportunity for children to learn and grow in the natural environment. 

From 2-year-olds in our Tiny Trees Nursery, all the way through to Year 6, every pupil takes part in weekly Forest School sessions, giving them valuable time in nature which is scientifically proven to support their wellbeing. 

We know that families are looking for more than just academic success for their children; they want them to be happy and well-rounded individuals. Twinned with our work on Oracy, our Forest School provision is another key part of delivering that holistic education.”

As the school celebrates this latest recognition from Voice 21, it remains focused on its mission of helping every child find their voice and achieve their full potential. The Lostwithiel community now looks forward to the next chapter, with the outcome of the school's recent Ofsted inspection expected in the coming weeks.