Led by trainers from oracy intervention specialists Talk The Talk, the two-and-a-half-hour session encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones, meet new people within their year group and discuss their experiences of starting a new school.

Students worked in small groups to set personal goals for the year ahead, identifying the opportunities and challenges they expect to face. As part of this task, they were also invited to share strategies and solutions to help themselves and one another overcome any concerns. Meanwhile, peer interviews allowed students to get to know one another while practising the skills of questioning, listening and responding.

Form tutors also joined the sessions, providing support and helping to strengthen relationships within their new tutor groups. Dr Emma Finer, a member of the Year 7 tutor team, said: “The oracy workshop gave students the opportunity to get to know each other and engage in meaningful conversations. It encouraged them to reflect on their transition to secondary school, including what they enjoy most and the challenges that they face.

“From a tutor’s perspective, I found the session particularly helpful in identifying students who may need additional support as they continue to settle into their new routines. There were also several encouraging moments when quieter students, who might not usually volunteer to speak in front of a large group of people, confidently presented to their peers in a clear and engaging manner. It was a pleasure to watch their confidence grow throughout the session.

“The skills delivered in the workshop are both valuable and transferable, and the trainers highlighted how they will support students not only in their current and future studies but also in the workplace.”

Reflecting on the experience, one Year 7 student said: “Learning how to communicate with new people was really fun. As the day went on, I could feel myself becoming more confident. I’m glad I did this with my tutor group because I was with some friends but also got to know people I hadn’t spoken to before. Speaking in front of everyone was scary at first, but I really enjoyed it in the end. It made me feel proud of myself.”

ABOVE: The ‘Talk about Transition’ workshop introduced students to the school’s careers programme, while also cementing the importance of confident communication as a key life skill. 

ABOVE: Jo Slater, trainer at Talk The Talk, leads a group activity with Year 7 students. As a linguist with 12 years’ experience teaching Spanish and German in secondary schools, Jo’s understanding of the importance of communication has led to her work as an oracy champion. 

ABOVE: Students were tasked with a number of activities designed to get them talking about their move from primary to secondary education.