October 1-31 2025 Free & Online

The Time for Oracy is Now!

Oracy is everywhere: in the headlines, in Parliament and in staff rooms and classrooms across the country. Now is the time to create a vision for oracy education in your school. A high-quality oracy education can build a sense of belonging, strengthen disciplinary knowledge across the curriculum and create a school environment that is inclusive by design.

Join Voice 21 as Oracy October returns for 2025.

What to expect during Oracy October 2025

Throughout October, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the vital role that speaking, listening, and communication play in learning, wellbeing, and life beyond school. Join us for:

Expert-led webinars exploring The Oracy Framework, Developmental Language Disorder and more, with practical strategies for embedding oracy in classrooms and across subjects.
Insights from NAPLIC on building an inclusive culture of oracy for students with developmental language disorder (DLD).
Free resource packs to use with your students, designed to develop their understanding of the Oracy Framework
First-hand stories from classroom practitioners about transforming their teaching and learning through oracy

Join Voice 21 as Oracy October returns for 2025.

Are you currently registered as a Voice 21 Oracy School?

Yes, I'm a Voice 21 Oracy School No, I'm not a Voice 21 Oracy School

Oracy October

A full month of inspiring oracy events

4-Sep-02-2025-01-09-55-5531-PM — 3.45pm Tuesday 1st October

10 years of the Oracy Framework

‘To celebrate ten years of The Oracy Framework, Professor Neil Mercer will join Voice 21 Director of Strategic Development Amy Gaunt to explore the foundations of a high-quality oracy education and how to get the most out of The Oracy Framework.

Register for this session

3-Sep-02-2025-01-09-55-5895-PM — 3.45pm Wednesday 8th October

We STILL Need to Talk - lessons from The Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England

Voice 21 will be joined by an OEC Commissioner and an Oracy Centre of Excellence.

They'll explore the findings of the Commission and how these can translate to the primary and secondary classroom in the lead up to the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment review.

Register for this session

Untitled design (49) — Wednesday 16th October Birmingham Conference & Events Centre

Great Oracy Exhibition

Vibrant, energising and inspiring, the Great Oracy Exhibition is the UK’s largest oracy event. It is where Voice 21 Oracy Schools, and those looking to further their oracy education provision, come together for a celebration and showcase of incredible oracy achievements and practice.

Get tickets

1-Sep-02-2025-01-09-55-5283-PM — 3.45pm Tuesday 1st October

NAPLIC explains: Oracy and DLD; The most common childhood condition you’ve never heard of

In this session, Voice 21 and NAPLIC to mark DLD Day (October 17) and help prepare you by demonstrating practical strategies for supporting children with DLD through a focus on oracy.

Register for this session

2-Sep-02-2025-01-09-55-5679-PM — 3.45pm Tuesday 1st October

Oracy education: ten years of lessons from our schools

In this session, Voice 21 CEO Dr Kate Paradine will be in conversation with our Head of Learning Kathleen McBride to discuss and share with you effective tips, case studies and examples of the best oracy practice taking place in Voice 21 Oracy Schools.

Register for this session

Voice 21 is the national oracy education charity

Voice 21 is the national charity that supports schools to build speaking and listening into the curriculum, teaching and learning and wider school life.

Transforming the learning and life chances of young people

We’re on a mission to transform the learning and life chances of young people through talk so that all children can use their voice for success in school and in life.

Find out more about our mission at Voice 21

Oracy empowers students to become more effective speakers and listeners

Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through speaking, listening and communication.

Oracy is a powerful tool for learning

In school, oracy is a powerful tool for learning; by teaching students to become more effective speakers and listeners we empower them to better understand themselves, each other and the world around them. It is also a route to social mobility, empowering all students, not just some, to find their voice to succeed in school and life.

An annual celebration of oracy

Oracy October is Voice 21’s annual celebration of oracy. It’s a month of free events and resources designed to raise awareness of the important role oracy plays in supporting students to transform their learning and lives through talk.

Shining a spotlight on the power of listening

Each year, there is a new Oracy October theme that helps refine different skills related to oracy. This year's theme is The Time for Oracy is Now! Oracy is everywhere: in the headlines, in Parliament and in staff rooms and classrooms across the country. Now is the time to create a vision for oracy education in your school.

YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW

Frequently Asked Questions

I am currently registered as a Voice 21 Oracy School. How do I register for Oracy October?

Please sign in with your Voice 21 membership login details here to register for any of the Oracy October events. You can also access your free Oracy October resources via the Exchange.

I am not currently registered as a Voice 21 Oracy School, can I still attend?

Yes, absolutely! Oracy October events are free for anyone to attend.

I can't register for a session

We're sorry to hear you are having trouble registering for an event. Please get in touch with us on hello@voice21.org and one of our team will help you.

Is Oracy October free?

Oracy October sessions that are held online are 100% free and accessible to anyone who is interested in learning more about high quality oracy practice.

All our resource packs are also free to download for anyone who wants to use them with their students.

The Great Oracy Exhibition, which takes place during Oracy October, is an in-person and ticketed event. You can purchase tickets for the Great Oracy Exhibition here.

The Time for Oracy is Now!

A full month of inspiring oracy events

10 years of the Oracy Framework

We STILL Need to Talk - lessons from The Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England

Great Oracy Exhibition

NAPLIC explains: Oracy and DLD; The most common childhood condition you’ve never heard of

Oracy education: ten years of lessons from our schools

About Voice 21