Pendle Primary Academy to become national 'Centre of Excellence' for Voice 21 speaking and listening skills

The school in Brierfield has been recognised out of the more than 840 schools that Voice 21, the national oracy education charity, will work with.

The ‘Centre of Excellence’ certifies and celebrates schools that are leading the way in providing a high-quality oracy education for their students.

To secure its recognition, Pendle Primary Academy had to demonstrate the quality of oracy education being provided across five areas of school life: the school’s vision, culture, curriculum, learning and impact on students.

Lewis Dale, communications and engagement co-ordinator from Voice 21, said: “This is a huge achievement as Pendle Primary Academy is one of just nine schools nationally to receive this prestigious award.

“It's a completely new way of teaching students and has been proven to have had a transformational impact on learning and the future career prospects of many young people. “This Nelson school is leading the way in the UK and has visits from many other schools across the country to observe their approach.

"Pendle Primary, however, are changing the way they educate to help students from all backgrounds achieve in life and as a result has become a leading school in the country.”

As a Voice 21 Oracy ‘Centre of Excellence’, Pendle Primary Academy will act as a beacon of good practice for over 800 oracy schools across the national network. It will support other schools in developing their students’ oracy skills, showcasing how oracy teaching can be transformational for students’ learning and life chances.