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Pupils from across south-east London and Kent have taken part in the inaugural Oracy Cup, a programme delivered in partnership between Charlton Athletic Community Trust and Equalitas that places speaking and listening at the centre of learning.
The competition invited pupils aged 9 to 15 to submit audio pieces on a topic of their choice, with a clear focus on oracy as an essential component of learning. Through structured classroom preparation and rehearsal, pupils developed their ideas with clarity and purpose. More than 220 entries were submitted from over 50 primary and secondary schools, showing how oracy is being developed across different school settings.
Following a judging process at The Valley, a group of standout pupils were recognised with a series of exclusive Charlton experiences that brought their learning to life. Judging was supported by CACT and Equalitas colleagues, alongside expert insight from Charlotte Richardson and Dickie Davis.
First-place winners stepped into the heart of matchday operations, joining the communications team in the press box for Charlton’s fixture against Norwich City and attending Nathan Jones’ post-match press conference. Second-place winners visited the club’s training ground, where they met Jones and forward Miles Leaburn and took part in a live press conference environment, asking questions alongside the communications team ahead of the match.
Third-place winners experienced a behind-the-scenes CharltonTV production day at The Valley. After a stadium tour, they met presenter Charlotte Richardson, alongside women’s team players Carla Humphrey and Elisha N’Dow and manager Karen Hills, gaining insight into sports media and broadcasting.
In total, 18 pupils were recognised across the three prize categories, reflecting the exceptional standard of submissions and the impact of focused oracy practice in schools.
David James, CACT’s Director of Education and Sport, commented: “The response from schools across south-east London and Kent was hugely positive, as were the high-quality entries from young people. We’ve been enthused by the appetite to focus on oracy and the expertise of Equalitas, along with the unique Charlton experiences, ensured that the competition was a huge success”.
Robyn Johnstone, CEO of Equalitas, observed: “It has been fantastic to see so many schools take part in this year’s Oracy Cup, with over 220 entries showcasing real creativity and confidence. We’re passionate about supporting schools to embed oracy in everyday learning, and this competition shows just how impactful that can be – especially when combined with the unique opportunities and inspiration provided through Charlton. We hope to welcome even more schools next year to be part of something that truly makes a difference to young people’s lives.”
Explore the full story and additional images on the Charlton Athletic Community Trust website.
