Authentic Oracy: NEPI Meeting 3

On 23rd January we hosted the third meeting of North East Primary Innovators (NEPI) at Cragside Primary School.

The focus of the day was authentic oracy.

Spotlight on Finding my Voice with Rachel Higginson

Rachel Higginson is a dynamic keynote speaker, school improvement facilitator, curriculum designer, and primary education adviser. Passionate about innovative learning, she leads a range of impactful education projects. We were delighted to welcome her at Cragside to meet the NEPI group.

One of her standout initiatives is Finding My Voice, developed in collaboration with Emmanuel Awoyelu, Christian Foley, and Mary Myatt. This program is a high-impact yet light-touch approach that enhances personal development and oracy across the whole school. She also worked on the Rethinking Curriculum project with Chartered College last year, including support Cragside with their oracy curriculum.

Rachel inspired deep conversations throughout the morning about the power of storytelling, the importance of connection, and a learner-first approach to curriculum design and personal growth.

Sharing Curriculum Stories

In the afternoon session, Cragside Primary shared their own journey in developing a rich oracy curriculum. EYFS lead Emily Carroll, highlighted her approach to fostering high-quality interactions in the early years. Year 1 teacher Marie Doyle, showcased how she has been integrating authentic oracy into humanities and science, encouraging deeper thinking and meaningful discussions in the classroom.

Each school had the opportunity to share their experiences, stories, and work from their own settings. This provided valuable insight into how schools have tailored their curricula to meet the unique needs of their learners. It was fascinating to hear the diverse perspectives and innovative approaches across the NEPI schools. What a great day!