Best Practice

Empowering excluded girls through literacy

The National Literacy Trust’s Represent programme has achieved notable impact in its mission to empower excluded girls through oracy and literacy education. Kirsty Bailey looks at what it involves and some of the lessons learned for engaging with this cohort of students
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In the realm of education, we find ourselves navigating an ever-evolving landscape. The need to adapt and innovate has never been more pressing, particularly when addressing the critical issue of oracy.

In this article, I examine the imperative for an “oracy-first” approach for developing the literacy skills of 11 to 14-year-old girls who have been excluded or are at risk of being excluded from mainstream education, drawing insights from the National Literacy Trust’s Represent literacy programme.

 

What is oracy?

Oracy, often regarded as the neglected sibling of literacy, is a fundamental skill that underpins academic success and personal development. It forms the bedrock upon which communication, wellbeing, positive relationships, and resilience are built.

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