Could Your Child’s Voice Soon Matter as Much as Their Writing? England’s New Oracy Plan Explained

Halo Tuition Academy | Education Insights

The Education Secretary has announced plans to give oracy equal status to reading and writing as a new strand of England’s revised English curriculum.

Oracy means the ability to speak, listen and communicate effectively. It includes expressing ideas clearly, listening carefully, asking questions, debating respectfully and adapting how you communicate for different audiences.

The government has said that speaking, listening and communication should become a core part of education from primary school through to GCSE and beyond, including in curriculum content and assessment.

This is an announced direction of travel, not an immediate change to your child’s GCSEs or classroom assessment. The final revised National Curriculum is expected in spring 2027, with schools due to begin teaching it from September 2028.

Oracy is sometimes described as “speaking and listening”, but it is broader than giving a presentation in front of a class.

It includes being able to:

These skills already appear in parts of the current curriculum. The proposed change is about giving them a clearer structure and greater status alongside reading and writing.

In October 2026, the Education Secretary said oracy would become a new strand of the English curriculum and would have equal status to reading and writing.

The government has also said it will work with Ofqual and the education sector as curriculum and assessment arrangements develop.

That does not mean a new GCSE speaking exam has been confirmed, or that pupils will suddenly be graded on confidence alone. The exact way oracy will be taught and assessed has not yet been set out.

For now, parents should see this as a significant policy signal: strong communication is expected to become a more deliberate part of what schools teach and develop.

A student may understand a topic perfectly but struggle to explain it aloud, ask for clarification or contribute to a discussion. Over time, that can affect confidence in lessons, group work, interviews and future study.

Oracy supports learning across the curriculum.

In English, it can help students analyse language, discuss texts and develop stronger arguments before writing them down. In History and Geography, it helps pupils justify interpretations and use evidence. In Science and Maths, it can help students explain their reasoning rather than simply give an answer.

Speaking also helps teachers understand what a student truly knows. A written answer may be incomplete because a pupil is unsure how to phrase it. A thoughtful discussion can reveal their reasoning, misconceptions and next steps more clearly.

Not immediately.

Current GCSE arrangements remain in place while the revised curriculum is developed. Students taking GCSEs over the next few years should continue focusing on their existing course content, exam-board requirements and school guidance.

However, the announcement is still relevant for today’s students.

The habits that build strong oracy also support GCSE success:

These are not “extra” skills. They can make revision more active and help students prepare for interviews, college, sixth form and university.

It should not.

Good oracy teaching is not about rewarding the loudest pupil in the room or expecting every child to become a public speaker. Effective communication can look different for different students.

Some pupils may need time to organise their thoughts before speaking. Others may communicate more confidently in a small group than to a full class. Schools will need to make sure any future approach is inclusive, accessible and supportive of different communication needs.

The aim should be to help every child find and use their voice, not to create another high-pressure performance measure.

You do not need formal debating lessons at the dinner table. Small conversations can help children develop confidence and clarity.

Try asking questions that require more than a one-word answer:

The goal is not to correct every sentence. It is to give children regular opportunities to explain, question, listen and think aloud.

The ability to read and write will always be fundamental. But in a world of interviews, collaboration, AI-generated information and fast-moving communication, students also need to articulate what they know.

Strong oracy is not about sounding polished. It is about having the confidence and structure to share an idea, ask a question and think critically with others.

At Halo Tuition Academy, we help students strengthen the subject knowledge, revision habits and independent-thinking skills that sit behind confident communication.

Looking for personalised support that helps your child build both academic confidence and stronger study habits? Speak to the Halo Tuition Academy team.

No. The government has announced plans to make oracy a new strand of the revised English curriculum. The details of any future assessment arrangements have not yet been confirmed.

The government aims to publish the final revised National Curriculum in spring 2027. Schools are expected to begin teaching it from September 2028.

Current GCSE courses and assessment arrangements remain in place. However, practising clear speaking, listening and explanation can support students’ learning and revision now.

Editorial note: This article reflects information available as of 29 October 2026. The detailed content and assessment approach for the revised curriculum are still being developed.