In October 2024, the Oracy Education Commission published its landmark report “We Need to Talk”, calling for oracy to be recognised as the fourth ‘R’—a core skill alongside reading, writing, and arithmetic. The report outlines the urgent need to close the oracy gap and embed spoken language across the curriculum. Here’s a summary of its key messages—and how Mighty Writer brings them to life.

Key Messages from the ‘We Need to Talk’ Report

 1. Oracy is the Fourth R

• Oracy should be treated as equal in importance to reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• It is foundational to learning, literacy, and life success.

2. The Oracy Gap

• There is a growing disparity in oracy skills between disadvantaged and affluent pupils.
• This gap affects academic outcomes, confidence, and future opportunities.

 3. Oracy Must Be Explicitly Taught

• Oracy doesn’t develop by chance—it requires structured, deliberate teaching across all phases of education.
• The report calls for oracy to be embedded in the curriculum, teacher training, and assessment.

 4. Whole-School Approach Needed

• Oracy should be integrated across subjects and supported by extracurricular activities.
• Schools should adopt frameworks and progression models for spoken language.

 5. Oracy Supports Inclusion and Equity

• Oracy is vital for children with SEND, EAL, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• It builds confidence, identity, and active participation in society

6. Oracy Enhances Employability and Wellbeing

• Strong speaking and listening skills are linked to better mental health, social skills, and success in the workplace.
• Oracy prepares pupils for an AI-transformed labour market.

 How Mighty Writer Puts the Report into Practice

✅ 1. Structured Oracy Teaching

• Mighty Writer enables children to compose sentences orally before writing—exactly as recommended in the report.
• It supports oral rehearsal, vocabulary development, and sentence fluency.

✅ 2. Inclusive and Differentiated Access

• Visual and tactile tools help SEND and EAL learners participate fully.
• Teachers can use it for whole-class, small group, or 1:1 interventions.

✅ 3. Whole-School Implementation

• Mighty Writer is used across EYFS and KS1 and supports progression into KS2.
• It aligns with the report’s call for system-wide oracy integration.

✅ 4. Confidence and Wellbeing

• Children display high engagement and enjoyment when using Mighty Writer.
• It builds confidence in speaking and storytelling, supporting emotional development.

✅ 5. Evidence of Impact

• Schools report up to 78% increase in writing confidence and ability among disadvantaged pupils.
• It bridges the gap between spoken and written language, helping close the oracy gap.

Ready to Learn More?

Book a FREE 15-minute meeting with our founder, Emma Ralph, to discover how Mighty Writer can transform literacy in your school. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity...