In Part 2 of our episode on oracy with Jane Hawkins from the NCETM and Kathleen McBride from Voice 21, we explore the impact of the Maths Hubs’ Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs), strategies for implementing oracy in both primary and secondary education, and the importance of oracy for enhancing student learning and engagement.

A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download.

Show notes
Taking part in the discussion:

• Kathleen McBride, Senior Learning and Innovation Lead, Voice 21


• Jane Hawkins, Assistant Director for Secondary, NCETM, and Assistant Maths Hub Lead, Jurassic Maths Hub


• Julia Thomson, Communications Manager, NCETM.

Episode chapters

• 00:06 Welcome and introductions


• 00:51 Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs)


• 02:28 Impact of Oracy RIWGs


• 04:41 Talk strategies


• 08:25 What does successful oracy look like?


• 10:58 The teacher’s role


• 12:18 Different types of talk


• 18:35 Oracy in secondary education


• 22:17 Ideas for teachers


• 25:44 Misconceptions about oracy


• 28:52 Resources and further reading


• 30:31 Conclusion.

Useful links

• Listen to Part 1 of this podcast episode


• All-Party Parliamentary Group Report: Speak for Change (2021)


• Voice 21 website


• Voice 21 Talk Tactics and How to develop independent student discussion


• Voice 21 Talking Point publication (2023)


• Voice 21 Oracy Benchmarks report (2019)


• Voice 21 Impact Report (2022-23)


• NCETM Primary Curriculum Prioritisation materials


• NCETM Checkpoints for KS3


• Interthinking: Putting Talk to Work by Karen Littleton & Neil Mercer (Routledge, 2013)


• Talking Points: Discussion Activities in the Primary Classroom by Lynn Dawes (Routledge, 2012)


• Find your local Maths Hub


• Maths Hubs Research and Innovation Work Groups (RIWGs)


• Explore previous episodes of the NCETM podcast in our archive


• The NCETM Maths Podcast on Instagram.