PoliticsHome | Only the latest five entries on the PhiWire are visible to non-subscribers

- Sign up to see last 24 hours
Wednesday 23rd May 2012 | 19:44
Labour has today published a Policy Review document on Speaking Skills.
This document explains the key role that speaking skills play in helping young people to get on in life and in opening up opportunity - and how by providing greater focus on their development, schools
can better prepare children for their future lives, in education, in work and in society.
Stephen Twigg MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, speaking during a visit to The Paddington Academy in West London today, said:
“If we are to break down the barriers that stop some bright young people succeeding, then being articulate and confident is critical.
“Speaking skills have not had enough of a focus within state schools but it is clear this needs to change. We know that many private schools focus on debating and on interview coaching, helping
their students get another leg up toward the best universities and jobs.
“Labour wants all pupils to have the same opportunities to develop their verbal communication and presentation skills. This is about modernising our schools system to improve life chances.Aligning the school curriculum with the needs of the modern labour market is essential.
“Young people get the best start when they can communicate with confidence.”
Labour is looking at how we can do things differently if we were in government. As part of our Policy Review we are looking at the following areas:
A stronger focus on speaking skills to be embedded in a revised national curriculum.
Additional training and development in speaking skills in Initial Teacher Training and Continued Professional Development for teachers.
Strengthening language development teaching in Early Years.
A national debating competition in state schools across England to raise the profile of debate.