18 June 2024
Samarès School has received an Oracy Centre of Excellence award from the national oracy charity,
Voice 21, for its work developing students’ speaking and listening skills. Voice 21 work with more
than 1000 schools nationally, and Samarès School was one of only eleven to have their oracy
achievements recognised in the most recent round of applications.
The Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence award certifies and celebrates schools who are changing
the way they educate by supporting students to find their voice – and as a result are transforming
their learning and life chances. To secure its recognition, Samarès School had to demonstrate the
quality of oracy education being provided across five areas of school life: their school’s vision, culture,
curriculum, learning and impact on students.
As a certified Oracy Centre of Excellence, Samarès School will support other schools in the Island and
across the United Kingdom, showcasing how oracy teaching can impact their students’ future
education and employment opportunities.
George Lumley, Deputy Headteacher and Oracy Lead at Samarès said: “We are extremely proud to
be recognised as an Oracy Centre of Excellence by Voice 21. By putting oracy at the heart of our
teaching and learning we have seen the incredible difference it can make to our students’ learning
and development. At Samarès school we believe that every voice should be heard and valued. An
oracy education puts this at the centre of what we do, and it is enabling our students to articulate
themselves with skill and confidence in a wide range of contexts.”
Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward commented: “I’m delighted that the
Island now has a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence for oracy and congratulate Samarès on
this achievement; I know how much hard work has gone into this from both staff and students. I’m
sure more of the Island’s schools will be inspired by this and am looking forward to seeing the joint
learning that can be shared as a result.”
gov.je