In a recent interview on BBC Radio, Peter Hyman, former senior advisor to Tony Blair and Kier Starmer, discussed the need for a broader, richer, and more cutting-edge curriculum that equips young people for life and work in the modern world. This comes in light of the government’s call for a review of the curriculum in England, aimed at raising school standards and ensuring students are prepared for future challenges.
Hyman emphasised the importance of oracy, or the ability to express oneself fluently and grammatically in speech, as a critical skill for social mobility and personal development. According to him, oracy should be seen as the “golden thread” that weaves through all subjects in the curriculum. He highlighted its benefits not only for academic knowledge but also for fostering empathy, bridging social divides, and improving mental health and well-being.
Hyman’s stance builds on previous reforms that focused heavily on literacy and numeracy. However, he argues that the modern curriculum should also include two additional core skills: oracy and digital skills. In a world of rapid technological change, students need to be equipped with the digital literacy necessary to navigate AI and other emerging technologies. Schools, according to Hyman, are only just beginning to address this need, and the current curriculum doesn’t provide the space for educators to fully embrace these skills.
Reflecting on his experience founding School 21 in East London, Hyman shared his educational philosophy of “head, heart, and hand.” This approach balances academic knowledge, social skills such as resilience and empathy, and creativity and problem-solving. He stressed that a curriculum focused solely on traditional academic knowledge is too narrow and fails to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the complexities of modern life and work.
Amol Rajan, the interviewer, raised concerns about the balance between traditional knowledge and broader skill sets, questioning whether a focus on more progressive educational approaches might disadvantage students from poorer backgrounds. Hyman responded by asserting that skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and oracy are often mischaracterised as “soft skills” but are in fact difficult to acquire and essential for success in life and work.
Looking forward, Hyman predicts that the most profound change in education will come through the government’s planned curriculum and assessment review. This reform, which won’t require significant financial resources, could have a lasting impact by ensuring that the education system is truly fit for purpose in the 21st century.
As the need for both oracy and digital literacy becomes increasingly clear in today’s education landscape, OracyChampions.com offers a unique solution that addresses both. Not only does it help students develop their speaking and listening skills, but it also enhances digital literacy by integrating technology into the learning process. By fostering structured conversations and encouraging the use of digital tools to record and reflect on their own voices, OracyChampions.com prepares students for the challenges of the modern world, making them confident communicators and tech-savvy individuals ready for life and work.
