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Schools white paper: Peers push for greater focus on speech and language

2 mins read Education
Peers have urged the government to amend the schools white paper to include greater measures around children’s speech and language development.
Peers say the schools white paper is 'silent' on speech and language delays. Picture: Adobe Stock
Peers say the schools white paper is 'silent' on speech and language delays. Picture: Adobe Stock

Labour peer Lord Watson of Invergowrie, vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on oracy, tabled two amendments to the white paper, which was published in March, “designed to test the government’s thinking” on its approach to improving spoken language in schools.

The amendments included calls for the Education Secretary to issue an annual report to parliament which examines levels of spoken language across all education settings and provision available to improve this.

Watson is also calling for the white paper to include plans for Ofsted to assess the provision available to develop pupils’ spoken language and communication skills.

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