We’re making waves in the world of education! Blackpool Grand Theatre, in collaboration with Durham University, is thrilled to present its FIRST Oracy Symposium ‘a dynamic, thought-provoking event’ designed to unlock the power of spoken communication in schools.

This landmark event, co-created with our Young Story Ambassadors, welcomes 180 young people, 37 teachers, and three leading professors for an immersive day of debate, dialect workshops, and expert-led discussions.

Why Oracy Matters Now More Than Ever

The New Commission on the Future of Oracy Education defines oracy as the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding, and engage in meaningful communication. Yet, in an age dominated by written and digital communication, spoken skills are often neglected—despite being critical for confidence, collaboration, and social mobility.

At Blackpool Grand, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to develop their voice, which is why we’ve pioneered award-winning drama-based initiatives, including:

🎭 Tales Retold – A creative children’s theatre programme
🎭 Drama for Oracy – A CPD training programme for teachers and artists

Our latest Drama for Oracy training has already reached 15 teachers and Oracy Champions, forming part of our multi-award-winning Story-Led Resilience Programme.

What to Expect at The Oracy Symposium

Developed in partnership with Durham University and our Young Story Ambassadors, this event brought together leading academics, passionate teachers, and engaged young learners to explore oracy in action.

Dialects and Debate: Understanding the power of language and regional identity
Live Performance and Storytelling: Bringing spoken words to life through theatre
Using Your Voice Beyond the Classroom: Building confidence in real-world situations
Expert Panels and CPD Sessions: Providing teachers with practical tools to enhance oracy

We were honoured to welcome Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson (Classics Education & Public Policy, Durham University) as the project lead, alongside an incredible team of academics:

🔹 Professor David Waugh (Education)
🔹 Professor Simon James (English Studies)
🔹 Dr. Thomas Vaughan-Johnston (Psychology, formerly Durham, now Cardiff University)

Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge on the impact of oracy in education, sharing expertise from primary and secondary schools across Northeast England—and now, they’re bringing their energy and insights to Blackpool!

Teachers & School Leaders: Join the Conversation!

We invited local teachers and school leaders to a dedicated CPD session where they explored:

✔️ How to integrate oracy into your curriculum
✔️ The impact of storytelling on spoken confidence
✔️ How theatre can be a game-changer in the classroom

Oracy: A Human Right, Not a Luxury “Oracy is not an optional extra; it’s a human right.” — Dr. Rebecca Harper

By investing in spoken communication, we’re empowering the next generation with the skills they need to express themselves, engage in society, and thrive in their futures.

Championing oracy – because every child deserves to have their voice heard!