Leverhulme's Director of Primary Education Shares Oracy Work at International UKLA Conference
Monday, 13th July 2026
Director of Primary Education, Vicki Guest, recently represented Leverhulme Church of England and Community Trust at the UKLA International Conference 2026 in Glasgow, where she shared the Trust's pioneering work to develop socially just approaches to oracy education.
Vicki joined Professor Julia Snell, Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Leeds, and a colleague from Yorkshire to present to an audience of academics, researchers and education professionals on the theme: "How can we advance socially just approaches to oracy education through collaboration between sociolinguists and teachers?"
The presentation highlighted the Trust's cross-phase collaborative oracy project, which has brought together staff and pupils from Harper Green School, Rivington and Blackrod High School and Sixth Form, Lostock Primary School, alongside partner schools The Gates Primary School and The Oaks Primary School.
Through school visits, shared professional learning and collaborative practice development, the project has strengthened opportunities for pupils to develop confidence in speaking, articulate their ideas effectively and engage in meaningful discussion across the curriculum.
Working in partnership with Professor Snell, the Trust has developed an inclusive approach to oracy that recognises the important relationship between language, identity and opportunity. This work challenges traditional perceptions of spoken language by valuing pupils' linguistic identities while ensuring every child has the opportunity to develop the communication skills they need to thrive.
During the conference, Vicki reflected on how a focus on social justice has shaped the Trust's approach to oracy, influencing classroom practice, Trust policies and the wider learning culture. She also explored the opportunities and challenges of embedding this work across schools, highlighting the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change.
Speaking after the conference, Vicki said: "It was a privilege to share the work taking place across our Trust at an international conference alongside Professor Julia Snell. Our collaboration has helped us think differently about oracy, ensuring every child's voice is valued while developing the communication skills they need for future success.
"It was also a fantastic opportunity to network with colleagues from across the international education community, exchanging ideas and learning from current research. We look forward to bringing those insights back into our schools to continue enhancing our practice and creating even greater opportunities for our pupils."
The conference provided an opportunity to celebrate the impact of the Trust's collaborative work while contributing to wider conversations about equity, language and education. The insights gained will continue to strengthen oracy provision across the Trust, ensuring pupils benefit from research-informed practice that builds confidence, communication and achievement.
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