October 1-31 2024 Free & Online

Speakers

This year, we are delighted to be hosting an incredible line-up of inspiring oracy speakers. We’ll be joined by experts in dialogic teaching, exciting panellists from schools, organisations & academia and Voice 21 specialists.

Lauren Colville

Training Delivery manager, Samaritans

Lauren started working for Samaritans as part of the Samaritans Training School (STS) in 2021 as the first Trainer on the team, and is now the Training Delivery Manager. Her passion started as a listening volunteer in the Northwest. Before this, she spent a decade working as a primary school teacher. “Being part of the Samaritans family has ignited my imagination and thinking. At a time when our world is such an uncertain place, knowing we are contributing to something that can genuinely make a difference is a very special feeling.

Fiona Maine

Professor of Language and Literacy in Education, University of Exeter

Fiona Maine is Professor of Language and Literacy in Education at the University of Exeter. She is a primary teacher at heart and has spent many years working alongside teachers to support them as they develop their literacy practices. Her research investigates the dialogic interactions of children as they talk together to make meaning together from visual, moving image and digital narratives. Her recent DIALLS project explored how children could develop tolerant, empathetic and inclusive behaviours through engaging in dialogue.

Emily Thomas

Oracy and Key Stage leader, Pinner wood School

Emily Thomas is a teacher currently serving as the Oracy and Key Stage Leader at Pinner Wood School. In 2022, Emily's dedication to Oracy earned her a highly commended prize as part of the Douglas Barnes Award in collaboration with Voice 21. This piece of research was further published with the English Association. She has conducted impactful Oracy CPD training sessions for primary and secondary schools across North West London, and has worked with the Big 10 (Big Education) to showcase her school’s signature practice.

Darren Chetty

Author and Lecturer, Arts & Science, University College London

Dr Darren Chetty is a lecturer at UCL, who previously taught in primary schools for over twenty years. He has been philosophising with children since 1996 and has designed and led courses in Philosophy for/with Children. He has published academic work on philosophy, education, racism, dialogue, children’s literature and hip-hop culture. His essay in The Good Immigrant is used by the Chartered College of Teachers and has been included in an anthology for children.

Sally Edwards

Trust Primary Lead

Sally Edwards is a Primary Trust Lead at Castle Phoenix Trust, working across three primary schools in Coventry to improve the life chances of their students. With a background as a deputy headteacher and English lead, Sally has extensive experience working across a range of primary and all-through schools. She is passionate about all things learning, with a particular focus on language acquisition, speech development, the unspoken rules of talk, the importance of reading and being read to and current educational research that should shape classroom practice. Sally has been influential in the success of two primary schools becoming Voice 21 Centres of Excellence.

Wendy Lee

Professional Director, Lingo

Wendy has worked as a speech and language therapist for over 30 years, in clinical practice, higher education and the third sector. She was Professional Director at The Communication Trust until 2015 where she led on a number of projects, as well as inputting on national policy and research. Wendy is currently the Director of LINGO, which provides consultancy, professional development, resources and speech and language therapy. She is a bye-fellow of Hughes Hall Cambridge where she is part of the Oracy Cambridge team.

Mohamed Abdallah

Head of Inclusive Leadership Course, The Difference

Mohamed, with a background in youth work and pupil referral units, spent over a decade leading inclusive practices at an 'Outstanding' mainstream school. Using Asset-Based Community Development and a multi-disciplinary approach, he successfully reduced exclusions. Now, at The Difference leading the Inclusive Leadership Course, Mohamed supports school leaders nationwide in Trauma-Informed practices, Student Voice, and Asset-Based approaches to leadership.

Sarah marriott

Head teacher at pinner wood

Sarah Marriott is passionate about empowering children through Oracy, proudly leading her school to become an Oracy Centre of Excellence. Dedicated to giving every child a voice, she has successfully embedded Oracy into the school’s culture. Sarah has also revamped the School Council, transforming it from a dull experience into a meaningful platform where students truly feel heard and valued. A champion of student expression and active participation in their education.

lisa clenagham

Meden School

Lisa has worked in education for 18 years, including SEN teaching teaching assistant, 2nd in English and Curriculum Leader for English. She has been teaching at Meden school in Nottinghamshire for 12 years. She’s an Associate School Leader with responsibility for ITE, ECT and Oracy in the curriculum. Working with Voice 21 over the last 4 years has been instrumental in developing her passion to ensure all young people are empowered to have a voice and be equipped to use it in the classroom and beyond.