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English Speaking Board (International) is proud to sponsor the Independent Schools Partnership Network (ISPN) event which is taking place on 30^th April and 1^st May.  

The conference, which will be attended by ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw and Chief Assessor, Ben Jackson, will bring together more than 150 leaders from the independent sector to discuss and explore the latest trends and best practices in education.  

As a premium silver sponsor, ESB will have the opportunity to connect with senior leaders and showcase ESB’s wide range of oracy qualifications, which cover public speaking, group speaking, debating, and certifications for multilingual learners. Tina will also deliver a 60 second pitch on the first day of the event highlighting the added value and benefits of ESB qualifications. 

Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw: 

We are looking forward to attending this event and networking with senior leaders in the independent sector, together with connecting with our existing centres who are attending – including Bolton School Girls’ Division, Salesian College in Farnborough and the King’s School in Worcester. 

ESB’s Oracy qualifications equip learners with the essential public speaking skills required to thrive in our competitive world. Integrated into the curriculum or as an enrichment activity, our learners express their thoughts clearly and persuasively, to inform, engage, question, disagree, listen, advise and work effectively as part of a team. They have freedom and choice to select their topics and material to enrich personal development, spark intellectual curiosity and embrace their unique interests and aspirations.”

“Our pedigree is demonstrated in our 70 years of work and our impact by winning the title of 2023 Awarding Organisation of the Year. 

  

About English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. 

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd, the ‘Awarding Organisation of the Year 2023’ according to the Federation of Awarding Bodies, has over 70 years’ expertise in awarding qualifications for Oracy and English language. Its unique Ofqual Accredited Oracy qualifications support children, young people and adults to enhance their communication skills and boost their self-confidence, enabling them to become aspirational and articulate lifelong learners and leaders. Designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive world, ESB focuses on developing public speaking, debating, resilience, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills. 

What is the impact of an English Speaking Board (International) Oracy qualification? 

Impact at Primary Level 

Teachers told us that:

• ESB qualifications have had a huge impact on the speaking and listening skills of their learners in the wake of the pandemic, with a 9/10 impact score. 
• Learners were judged to be far more competent and confident in their ability to gain and maintain the interest of their peers and to stay on topic, initiate and respond.
•  Learners improved their group work skills. 
• Learners also said that they were much happier to read in class after they had completed the assessment. 

Impact at Secondary Level 

• 62% of learners told us that the qualifications improved their ability to work well in a group and helped them to stay focused and to collaborate with others. 
• Teachers said that the impact of completing these qualifications in a post-pandemic world was of significance for these young people, with an  8/10  impact score. 
• Learners also felt they improved their ability to speak confidently, audibly and fluently, enhanced their vocabulary to articulate better, and improved their own abilities and targets. 

For more information about ESB and its oracy qualifications, you can download our Oracy e-brochure here. Alternatively, please contact our Business Strategy Team at business@esbuk.org who will be delighted to provide you with further details. 

Stephen’s story is both challenging and inspirational. He was a normal young person who made the most of everyday opportunities. Although his life was short, Stephen provides a positive role model of a life well lived. Tragically, his dream of becoming an architect was never realised. On 22 April 1993, at the age of just 18, Stephen was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack.

In line with this year’s Stephen Lawrence Day theme, ‘The Power of Learning’, the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation (SLDF) has partnered with English Speaking Board (International) Ltd to showcase the power of offering young people the opportunity to find, and use their voice, to express themselves clearly and confidently.

As part of the partnership, learners in the ‘Sprint 2 Success’ programme run by 7PK —a voluntary group of like-minded young people aged 16-21 who study and live in London, and who wish to develop both personally and professionally—participated in a two-day oracy workshop hosted by ESB’s partner organisation ‘The Oracy Workshops’.

ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

We are so honoured that the SLDF has chosen us as one of its partners. For ESB, the power of human connection and finding your voice is central to what we do at ESB. We believe that the potential of every child and young person to communicate effectively, to find the right words to convey their thoughts, voice their fears, challenges, ideas and hopes, ask questions, and challenge people in power, is essential in today’s world.

The SLDF want to work with us as we share a common belief in empowering individuals with the necessary skills and experiences to communicate with confidence, so that when the opportunity arises, they can express themselves effectively and make their voices heard.

The loss of young lives like Stephen’s, due to racism and violence, is something we still mourn to this day. Therefore, the chance for ESB to work with incredible young individuals and equip them with the necessary skills to support them to reach their full potential is of great importance to us.

Jessica Neil, Chief Executive – SLDF:

The oracy workshops conducted by our SLD partner, ESB, in honour of Stephen Lawrence Day, underscore the transformative power of young voices when they are uplifted by effective communication and articulation. These workshops not only equip young people with essential skills but also empower them to navigate and excel in various aspects of their lives. We are immensely grateful for ESB’s dedication to breaking down barriers and providing young people with the opportunity to amplify their voices. This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowering the next generation to shape a brighter future.

The importance of oracy skills was highlighted by the following comments made by the young people on the day:

Iona: “When young people are not given a chance to improve their speaking and listening skills, they may struggle to advocate for themselves or set boundaries with others. Without these skills, they will not be able to communicate their needs effectively.”

Danielle: “The oracy workshop was highly engaging and interactive, providing a valuable insight into how to convey messages effectively, and in a meaningful way.”

These are some of the impacts of poor communication (Oracy) and English language skills on learning, life and work:

Adds ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina:

ESB really wants to use this working opportunity with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation to honour Stephen’s stolen potential and to give all young people the chance to find their voice and reach their potential, and we are so humbled and privileged to work in partnership with the SLDF.

About English Speaking Board (International)

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. is committed to empowering children, young people and adults with oracy and English language skills, enabling them to achieve their aspirations and attain a confidence-building qualification. ESB can demonstrate the impact of these skills and the confidence they develop to realise potential of all and close the disadvantage gap. 

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. is a specialist Ofqual registered Awarding Organisation with over 70 years of expertise in exclusively creating, assessing and awarding qualifications for English language and Oracy. It supports over 200 schools and colleges, charities and Not for Profit organisations in the UK and internationally, assessing 40,000 learners each year to build the knowledge and skills of their communities, to have lifelong confidence to connect with people through communication, and to find their voice. 

About Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation

The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation is committed to creating a fairer society in which all young people, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to flourish. By providing mentoring, coaching, work experience opportunities, and bursaries for education and training, the Foundation broadens young people’s view of what’s possible, and creates pathways into education and career opportunities which might not otherwise be open to them. The Foundation empowers young people with the knowledge, skills, and qualifications they need to pursue the career of their choice, and supports them to progress along their chosen path. Find out more at www.stephenlawrenceday.org.

Want to find out more?

If you would like further information as to how your young people could benefit from a confidence-boosting communication qualification, please get in touch with a member of our Business Strategy Team at business@esbuk.org who would be more than happy to arrange a meeting with you to discuss this opportunity. You can also find out if your centre qualifies for financial support through our Outreach Programme. Alternatively, you can download and fill out the enquiry form by clicking here.

We look forward to discussing how we can work together to empower your young people to find their voice and help them achieve their full potential!

ESB is delighted to share its research and discuss the impact of an ESB employability-focused, externally assessed oracy qualification on learners at the first ever VTQ Research and Reflective Practice Forum in Birmingham.

The Forum, organised by Ofqual and the Federation of Awarding Bodies, aims to bring together and showcase the efforts made by Awarding Organisations (AOs) and End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) to enhance assessment practices and knowledge.

In November 2023, ESB was named the Awarding Organisation of the Year by the Federation of Awarding Bodies for promoting the power of human connection, self-advocacy, communication, and confidence building.

If you would like to find out more information about English Speaking Board (International) and its externally assessed qualifications, please click here.

You can also download our 2021-22 National Impact Report here:

English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. is delighted to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024, an initiative that provides a platform to celebrate the achievements and strengths of neurodiverse individuals and foster a society that truly embraces the diversity of minds.

For 70 years, ESB has been dedicated to unlocking the potential of all of its learners through the development of Oracy and English language. As part of its mission, the organisation has a long-term commitment to supporting neurodivergent learners. Those of our learners who have additional learning needs can have our assessments modified to remove barriers to assessment to enable all to demonstrate what they can do.

It is so vital to ESB that all learners can access and achieve, that we created a unique portfolio of oracy qualifications designed specifically for learners with significant learning needs. These learners are often in specialist settings, an environment and curriculum that enables and unlocks their potential.    

Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

We all want to be seen, be heard and understood, and for our strengths to be appreciated and for barriers to learning to be removed. Our Oracy portfolio is accessible and can be adapted to many of our learners who may describe themselves as neurodivergent. We are proud that this portfolio includes specialist Oracy qualifications for learners with significant learning needs furnish these learners with experiences that can help to remove barriers to learning by enabling access to a wide range of curricula, building relationships and a sense of belonging, and developing self-esteem and a positive self-identity.

Imagine the impact that sense of empowerment and achievement has on any learner but especially learners who often face systemic barriers that they and their families and carers have to overcome to allow them to flourish.

You can hear more about our work from one of our valued centres providing a specialist environment, Aurora Foxes, a residential college and training hotel for 16-25-year-olds based in Somerset. Learn more about how ESB assessments help prepare learners with significant learning needs for work and life.

As part of Neurodiversity celebration week, ESB shines the spotlight on Dr. Kush Kanodia, ESB’s new Patron and a prominent disability rights activist.

Dr Kanodia was drawn to ESB after hearing of its Outreach Campaign, which financially supports organisations and groups whose learners face disadvantage due to poverty, migrant or asylum seeker status, or special educational needs and disabilities.

He is a renowned disability and rights champion and social entrepreneur. He has had a monumental life journey, being a London Olympics Torchbearer in 2012 and being a key driving force for change for disabled peoples’ rights through transforming systems.



Dr Kanodia was the seminal figure in removing NHS England car parking charges at hospitals, which many claim was the most impactful positive change for disabled people since the formation of the NHS. He has recognised systematic barriers and worked with Premier League Football clubs, including Chelsea, to make their stadiums more accessible for disabled people; he has worked on other high profile projects including campaigning for ULEZ fairness for disabled drivers. He also holds an honorary doctorate at Kent University in recognition of his achievements.

On a recent visit to Cornwall, Dr Kanodia was interviewed by Dr Theo Blackmore PHD, a Disability Researcher and host of the ‘Discover Voices’ podcast, on the issue of finding confidence as a disabled person.

Says Tina, “We look forward to Dr Kanodia getting involved in ESB’s mission to remove barriers for learners. I am in no doubt the positive impact that he will bring to our work.”

Are you keen to learn more about ESB’s Oracy qualifications for all learners which can be seamlessly integrated into your curriculum and made accessible?

ESB offers a full suite of Oracy qualifications that can be adjusted for learners. Please click here to find out more.

In addition ESB offers four categories of qualifications for learners with significant special educational needs and disabilities aged 16 and over who do not hold a Level 1 qualification or higher.

For more information, please email us at business@esbuk.org to arrange a meeting with our CEO, Tina Renshaw. We would be delighted to hear from you.

English Speaking Board (International) is committed to continuing its work to support neurodivergent learners and promote neurodiversity awareness in our society.