The English-Speaking Union (ESU) is delighted to announce that Catherine West MP visited St. Aidan’s Primary School to attend a Discover Your Voice workshop, a programme aimed at fostering critical oracy skills through public speaking and debating.
The workshop is part of ESU’s commitment to empowering young people with the opportunities to communicate confidently and skilfully, providing them with the emotional, linguistic, and cognitive skills to express themselves and engage with others.
The Year 6 students participated in interactive activities that boosted their knowledge and confidence in the ESU’s Four Key Skill Sets of oracy: expression and delivery, reasoning and evidence, organization and prioritization, and listening and response.
Catherine West MP, a longstanding advocate for education and youth empowerment, was very pleased with the ESU initiative and took the opportunity to interact with the students as they worked through the exercises. Catherine West observed the workshop closely and addressed the children, emphasizing the importance of oracy and public speaking in everyday life and as a vital skill for their future careers.
She encouraged the students to ask questions about her life as an MP and how Parliament operates. The children eagerly took part, asking a wide range of questions, and in response, Catherine invited them to visit Parliament to learn more about its workings. They especially enjoyed hearing the “fun facts about Parliament” that Catherine shared, which sparked even more curiosity and engagement. The students were thrilled and excited by the opportunity to meet and speak with her directly.
“Oracy is a crucial skill and something that is often undervalued in our education system,” Catherine said. “It’s wonderful to see the ESU here in my constituency, talking to young people about the importance of articulating ideas and having respect for one another’s views.”
Kate Stevens, the headteacher at St Aidan’s Primary School, praised the impact of the workshop, saying, “We ensure that oracy is a part of every lesson. Oracy gives students confidence, and it gives them a voice.” She added, “The ESU has the specialist knowledge and they’re able to come in and support teaching staff to deliver oracy skills to our students. We can really see the impact that this afternoon’s workshop has had — students who wouldn’t normally speak had the confidence to talk and make arguments.”
She described the ESU as “empowering”, a sentiment that was echoed by the children in the workshop; on student remarked “these skills are going to help you in life because if you’re having a difficult time, then you have ways to let yourself be heard,”. Another added, “I learned that it’s good to let your voice be heard, even if you’re really shy.” Another participant called the workshop “inspirational,”.
The English-Speaking Union is a charity incorporated by Royal Charter with a vibrant membership. Its mission is to equip young people with the speaking and listening skills they need to thrive and to fulfil their potential as articulate and active global citizens. The ESU’s programmes include debate, public speaking and cultural exchange, designed to help young people engage with the world, speak more confidently, and understand different points of view, boosting their attainment, social skills and ability to live their lives to the fullest.
