Category: SEND

  • ESB launches its ‘Oracy for All’ Campaign to help empower learners with significant learning needs to achieve with its ambitious and inclusive Oracy qualifications

    Research indicates that 80% of learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) experience anxiety and face significant challenges with social interactions and future independence. Without strong communication skills, these individuals risk isolation and limited opportunities in both education and employment. (Report by the Children’s Commissioner for England)

    At ESB, we support all learners to develop their Oracy skills and over the next five weeks we’re going to showcase how we support learners with significant learning needs to do just this.

    English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) is proud to announce the launch of its new campaign, “Oracy for All,” designed to empower learners with significant learning needs to achieve with its ambitious and inclusive Oracy qualifications. 

    This exciting five-week campaign will feature a series of engaging videos that highlight the critical role of oracy – the ability to express oneself and communicate effectively – in fostering confidence, independence, and life skills for learners with significant learning needs.

    Each week will focus on specific themes, including the power of Oracy, Oracy for independent living and social interaction and Oracy for education and employment.

    This initiative aligns with the recent Oracy Education Commission’s report, “We Need to Talk,” which highlights the importance of inclusion in oracy education. You can read more about our response to the report here.

    ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw says:

    At ESB, we believe that developing effective oracy skills is a fundamental right for everyone. For over 70 years, our mission has been to unlock the potential of children and young people through their speaking and listening skills. Our oracy qualifications are for everybody – they’re ambitious and inclusive, but we know some of our learners with significant learning needs in specialist provision require additional support. These remarkable individuals deserve equal opportunities to access life-changing oracy skills.

    That’s why we’ve developed qualifications specifically for this group of learners, enabling them to thrive and flourish with real-world confidence-building, communication-rich opportunities and experiences which result in an ESB Ofqual Regulated qualification. Over the coming weeks, insights from learners, schools, colleges, assessors and experts will be shared to showcase the transformative impact of ESB’s Oracy qualifications.



    Join Us in Promoting Oracy for All

    Educators, parents, and SEND specialists are encouraged to join ESB on this journey to ensure Oracy for All. Whether you’re a specialist school interested in registering for ESB qualifications or a parent looking to support your child’s communication development, this campaign will offer valuable insights, resources and practical solutions.

    Be sure to join our webinar on Tuesday, 26th November, at 4.00 pm for an in-depth look at how these qualifications can make a real difference to the lives of individuals. 

    For more information about ESB’s qualifications and to register your interest, please click here.  

    If you are unable to attend the webinar and would like further information, please contact our Business Strategy Team via business@esbuk.org. We would be delighted to hear from you. 

  • Funding Information

    The Department for Education (DfE) has recently carried out an exercise to streamline the number of qualifications available for government funding. 

    This is to confirm that, from 1st August 2022, the following English Speaking Board (International) Ltd (ESB International) qualifications will no longer be available for government funding:

    • ESB Entry Level Award in Introducing Oral Skills for Interviews (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Art (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Drama (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Music (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Communicating with Others (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Developing Independent Communication Skills (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Developing Oral Interview Skills (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in First Steps in Communicating with Others (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Independent Communication Skills (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Inspiring Confidence in Employability (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Inspiring Confidence in Employability (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Inspiring Confidence in Employability (Entry 3)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Oral Communication in the Community (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Oral Communication with Others (Entry 1)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Oral Interview Skills (Entry 3)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Preparing for Performing Within a Team (Entry 2)
    • ESB Entry Level Award in Reading to a Child (Entry 3)
    • ESB Level 2 Certificate in Speech (Grade 5)
    • ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life
    • ESB Level 3 Award in Travel and Tourism for Oral Communication Skills for Overseas Resort Representatives

    You can find out more information here.

    To find out information on which ESB qualifications are still funded, please click here: https://esbuk.org/web/funding/external-funding/

    Don’t worry though, you can still deliver these qualifications and you may also be able to access our Christabel Burniston Fund. 

    Please contact our business development team for more information: business@esbuk.org.

  • Happy National Poetry Day

    It’s National Poetry Day and what better way to celebrate than looking back at some of our wonderful learners’ renditions.

    Poetry is one key component in many of our Graded Examinations in Speech assessments for learners in Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 5. Encouraging learners to enjoy this use of creative language helps to develop the skills to recite creative language from memory.

    The fee of these assessments range from £30.00 at Entry Level to the maximum price of £54.00 per learner at Advanced Level. Please note that financial support may be available for some centres. If you would like to find our more about the financial support that ESB could offer your centre, please visit our Funding page or email us today.

    Says Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

    Here at ESB, we strongly believe that poetry is a great way to improve a learner’s overall confidence and communication skills. The memory and presentation skills involved gives them essential life skills, enabling them to thrive in education, training and employment.

    For further information about our Speech assessments, please click here. Alternatively, if you still have unanswered questions or you would like to become an ESB centre, please contact our Business Development Team. We’d love to hear from you.

    Preparing today’s learner for tomorrow’s world is something ESB is passionate about. Help your learners to reach their potential by taking our assessments today!

  • We are recruiting for a Trustee/Director

    Do you share our passion for empowering all individuals to possess the oracy and English Language skills they need to achieve their aspirations?

    We are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our Board of Trustees/Board of Directors, ensuring the organisation’s good governance and strategic direction.

    The ideal candidate will have direct experience in government funded education (primary, secondary, Further Education, special schools) as well as a keen understanding of governance.

    For further details about this role and for information on how to apply, please see our advertisement.

    We encourage you to contact our Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, if you are interested in this position.

    Closing date: Friday the 11th of June.