Two of Durham's leading researchers have collaborated with Blackpool Grand Theatre in the North West of England to help children improve their speaking and listening skills.
Working with the Theatre's Creative Learning Team, our experts helped developed a programme designed to champion the voices of young people and explore oracy's role in building confidence, self-esteem and social mobility.
Durham's involvement in the project was led by Classics Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson who leads the 'Shy Bairns Get Nowt project'.
It culminated in the first-ever Blackpool Oracy Symposium, which was held at the theatre earlier this year.
A celebration of communication
The Symposium welcomed 180 schoolchildren and 37 teachers from state-maintained schools in the North of England for a day of live performance, dialect workshops, debating sessions and expert-led discussion.
Professor David Waugh of our School of Education spoke to the children about dialects and accent.
Afterwards, the young people said that they felt better about using 'local' words and phrases.
They also enjoyed learning the names for things in dialects of neighbouring regions.
Professor Holmes-Henderson collaborated with national charity Debate Mate to provide interactive workshops showcasing skills such as persuasion, negotiation, critical listening and disagreeing agreeably.
Enthusiasm and commitment
Professor Holmes-Henderson said: "I was thrilled to collaborate with the Blackpool Grand Theatre on such a powerful event.
"The Oracy Symposium was about far more than public speaking.
"It helped young people recognise that their voices - accents, dialects, and all - are important and deserve to be heard.
"This empowerment builds confidence that allows young people to thrive in, and beyond, school.
"I learned a great deal about how theatre practitioners can support the learning and teaching of oracy, particularly through performance skills. I'm looking forward to continuing this valuable work in England's North West."
Blackpool Grand Theatre's Creative Learning Producer, Jo Cleasby, added: "Collaborating with the professors from Durham alongside Blackpool young people, with everyone's voice being equally valued, to create and deliver our first Oracy symposium, has been a privilege.
"Our teachers and young people loved having a prestigious university partner involved and we're busy planning next year's event!"
Durham's involvement in the project underscores our commitment to impactful educational partnerships and to promoting equitable access to high quality oracy education.
