CLF Education Director Sally Apps is among a small group of experts who will feature on a new national body designed to boost young people’s spoken language and listening skills.

The Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England aims to provide a blueprint for oracy education at all stages of statutory education in England.

The group – launched on Friday – has been set up in response to the growing recognition of the importance of spoken language to children’s learning and life chances and increasing evidence and concern about the impact of the inconsistency, quality and accessibility of oracy education in schools.

Last week, Ofsted’s English education subject report identified major shortcomings in the current teaching of spoken language in schools.

Sally will be joined on the Commission by authors, professors and experts from the fields of education, academia, civil society, the arts, health and business.

It will be chaired by Geoff Barton, a former Headteacher and outgoing General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

The group is charged with gathering evidence on the economic and societal impacts of oracy education to outline an evidence-based framework for future oracy education to ensure children have the spoken language knowledge, skills and attributes to thrive in education, work and life.

Commission Chair Geoff Barton said: “As society changes so rapidly around us and we observe the rise of the robots, it is time to take the essential human skills of speaking and listening and move them centre-stage.

“We already know that spoken language opens doors to new knowledge, transforms our ability to learn effectively, and reaffirms some of the most important skills needed in a vibrant democracy – the ability to persuade, analyse, debate, disagree agreeably and listen critically.

“These are essential skills for a modern citizen. Oracy education has never been needed more.”

And Sally said: “It has never been more important for children to be able to understand the power of their authentic voice; I am delighted to be a part of this vital piece of work to ensure that as educators we provide the conditions for all children to realise this.”

The Commission is expected to reveal its findings and recommendations in September.

Hanham Woods Academy proudly celebrated diversity when it hosted its first Day of Culture, a vibrant celebration highlighting the differing backgrounds of its student body.

Students were invited to attend the academy wearing traditional colourful attire from their respective countries.

Initiated by Year 11 Wellbeing student leaders who expressed the desire to celebrate their differences and learn about other cultures. Tasha Wolyn, Head of Social Sciences, was a driving force behind this initiative and led students and staff in creating a number of different sessions through a range of cultural activities.

From the intricate Japanese paper art of origami to the rhythmic movements of Indian Bollywood dancing, participants immersed themselves in a variety of experiences designed to celebrate cultural heritage. Other highlights included African rug printing, crafting clay figurines, mastering embroidery techniques, and indulging in the flavours of global cuisines through food making and tasting sessions.

The event aligned with Hanham’s ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and equality, including the pursuit of an Equality Mark Award in collaboration with South Gloucestershire Council.

Nicola Hurrell, Associate Assistant Principal, said: “We are so proud of all our staff and students for actively engaging in our first ever Festival of Culture where we recognised and celebrated diversity.

“A big shout out to Tasha Wolyn for leading this event and of course a huge well done to our well-being leaders for their hard work and planning.”

A glowing Ofsted report which praised Priorswood Primary School for its ‘strong team’ and ‘significant improvement’ has seen the school presented with an important community award.

Taunton’s Priorswood – which joined the CLF in January – was rated as ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted inspectors, who highlighted staff as ‘effective role models’ who make the school ‘a calm and purposeful place to learn’.

In assessing the school, inspectors spent two days meeting with leaders, teachers and pupils, scrutinising practice and policy, and monitoring pupil behaviour and teaching in key subject areas.

The report from lead inspector Leanne Thirlby offered positive feedback on Priorswood’s ‘ambitious’ curriculum, ‘clear and structured’ SEND provision, and ‘effective’ safeguarding.

The report said: “Pupils at Priorswood Primary are proud to be members of their school. They enjoy coming to school, feel safe and attend well.

“Pupils show positive attitudes to their learning. Pupils conduct themselves well around the school. Pupils show a high level of respect for their peers and staff.

“The school has improved significantly in recent years. Staffing is now stable. As a result, there is greater consistency across the curriculum, including expectations of the pupils. Staff feel they are part of a strong team.”

And it is the team at Priorswood which was celebrated this week, with the presentation of a Civic Award by Taunton Town Council.

The award – which aims to recognise and celebrate Taunton organisations which ‘go above and beyond in their daily work for, and with, their community’ – was presented to Headteacher Carly Ellis and Priorswood staff in recognition of ‘the efforts made over the last year in achieving a significantly improved OFSTED report’.

At the presentation, councillor Nick O’Donnell heralded the Priorswood team and other award recipients for ‘their commitment to making Taunton a great place to live and work’.

He said: “It was a privilege to present certificates of thanks to so many of our inspiring residents, people who go the extra mile, with no expectation of recognition, but whom we should nevertheless acknowledge and applaud.”

Priorswood Head of School Carly Ellis said: “I am incredibly proud of the team at Priorswood, and it was a privilege to be asked to attend the Town Council meeting where the team’s dedication was recognised for its positive contribution to the community.

“We have been on quite a journey over the past five years, and I am looking forward to continuing the improvements to ensure that the children attending our school get the very best.

“As a team, we have moved the school forward and transformed Priorswood into a calm, safe and happy place to learn. I am very excited about the future.”

Everyone’s favourite creepy and kooky family hit the stage in a frighteningly funny and fresh production of The Addams Family starring the talented students of Broadoak Academy.

Performed over two nights to packed houses, with additional matinee performances for pupils from Broadoak’s feeder primary schools, this magnificently macabre musical comedy was supported by a cast and crew of more than 30 students from Years 7-10.

Students worked extremely hard to produce this eccentric and unconventional family show, giving up hours of their own time and rehearsing since November.

Filled with wildly funny moments, the play focuses on a bizarre, macabre, aristocratic family who dance on the graves or their ancestors in order to raise them from the dead, intertwined with the love story of Wednesday Addams and a normal boy called Lucas.

 The ultimate princess of darkness, Wednesday – played by Eden Lee-Booker of Year 8 – has grown up and fallen in love with sweet, smart Lucas Beineke, played by Cooper Hodder of Year 8. She confides in her father Gomez and begs him not to tell her mother.

Gomez Addams (played by Oscar Smith of Year 9) must now do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife Morticia, played by Scarlett Davidson of Year 10. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents.

Naomi Aves, Head of Performing Arts at Broadoak, said: “We totally have the best job! Getting to work with these amazing young people every week is such a privilege, especially as we see them develop as performers from their nervous auditions, hard-working rehearsals, through to the final performance.

“The cast and crew of Addams Family are made up of students in Years 7-10 and whilst some of them may not have met before embarking on this journey, they have become more than just a team, they have become a family. Yes, that’s right…The Addams Family!”

From Willy Wonka to Where’s Wally, with the odd superhero thrown in, the magic that is World Book Day was celebrated across the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) by staff and students alike.

With an array of exciting, engaging, and fun activities put on by CLF academies there was plenty for pupils and students to get involved it throughout the day and immerse themselves in the transformative world of literature.

Generous donations of book tokens by various companies allowed pupils to go out and purchase a book of their own choice.

World Book Day provides a fantastic opportunity for pupils and students to focus on reading for pleasure, supporting children’s autonomy in book choice, and embedding a habit of reading that brings a wide range of benefits. Taking pupils and students to new worlds and faraway destinations.