English Speaking Board (International) Ltd

Tag: Oracy

  • ESB Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw, to step down after 9 years

    After nine years at the helm of English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB International), our Chief Executive Tina Renshaw is stepping down from her role. During her tenure, Tina has led the organisation through a period of growth and transformation, championing the values of accessible, high-quality assessment and communication skills for all. We thank her for her dedication and visionary leadership.

    Tina has shared a personal statement reflecting on her time with ESB International, which you can read below.

    Dear Centres, teachers and tutors,

    I will be leaving my role as CEO of ESB International  at the end of October, as I know that the time is right for me to find a new challenge and for the organisation to embrace new leadership and ideas.

    For 9 years  I have loved this leadership opportunity and feel that the whole ESB International team evolved a new phase for this wonderful organisation of which I am truly proud. To hear  everyday of our impact on your children, young people and adults is life affirming and humbling – their improved Oracy skills or English language skills earning them a qualification. Yet our work together with you as centre organisers, exam teams, teachers, tutors and for your learners creates far much more than that- it grows their  confidence, sense of agency and self respect, they feel the affirmation of achievement, of being listened to when speaking and experience the acceptance and service of learning from and listening to others.

    Tina visiting primary school learners at Broadfields Primary School in Barnet.
    Tina visiting Broadfields School, a primary school in Barnet that has been delivering ESB’s oracy qualifications for over 10 years.
    Tina at the Europalso annual conference.
    ESB International’s Tina Renshaw and Chief Assessor, Anthea Wilson (left), attending the Europalso annual conference. ESB and Europalso have been working together for over 15 years.

    Importantly the ESB International family have also ensured that the legacies of our founders Christabel Burniston MBE and Jocelyn Bell were honoured through our outreach work and showcased in our 70th anniversary celebrations with you, our learners and centres. A wonderful external accolade for our work together was being recognised as Awarding Organisation of the Year in 2023. 

    So ESB International  has begun  a new phase with its search for its next CEO. If you or someone you know is  looking for such an organisation and role: to develop its amazing reputation and grow its reach as an Awarding Organisation and charity, do delve deeper into the information – you have a magnificent team waiting to create and deliver the next chapter with you.

    Thank you for your loyalty to ESB International.

    Tina Renshaw, Chief Executive
    A photo including Tina Renshaw taken at Belfast Metropolitan College's Supported Learning Centre.
    Tina visiting learners at the Supported Learning Centre at Belfast Metropolitan College

    The Honorary Treasurer of ESB International’s Board of Trustees, Dr Jim McAtear, has offered his appreciation for Tina’s many contributions and longstanding commitment to the organisation.

    A group photo including Tina Renshaw taken at ESB International's 70th anniversary celebration at New City College.
    Tina with ESOL Skills for Life learners at New City College, a valued partner who hosted a day of celebration as part of ESB International’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
    A picture of ESB International's Honorary Treasurer, Dr Jim McAtear

    It is with great regret that we begin to say goodbye to Tina Renshaw, our Chief Executive Officer who will leave us in October of this year.. Tina announced her resignation just this week and, in doing so, brings an end to nine years at the helm. She has steered ESB International successfully through to its 70th year as an awarding body as well as its recognition as Awarding Body of the Year in 2023. Tina’s work has ensured the success of our mission to improve the oracy skill, and therefore, the confidence of children, and the social mobility of young people and has promoted the value and benefits of learning English across the globe. We are grateful to Tina for everything she has given and achieved.

    Dr Jim McAtear, Honorary Treasurer
    Board of Trustees

  • ESB Celebrates World Book Day 2025 by Promoting the Joy of Reading

    I used to see reading a book as a punishment… and now it’s one of my favourite hobbies.

    ESB learner

    Research shows that children who read for pleasure achieve higher academic success and enhanced well-being. According to the National Literacy Trust, young people who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have higher mental well-being compared to those who do not.  

    Through ESB’s unique oracy assessments, learners are encouraged to develop their speaking and listening skills by engaging with literature in meaningful ways, boosting reading for pleasure.  

    Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

    At ESB, we believe in nurturing confident, expressive young people who find joy and connection through books. By promoting reading for pleasure, we empower learners to unlock a lifelong love of literature and self-expression. ESB’s oracy qualifications provide structured opportunities for learners to read aloud and discuss books of their choice.

    Below you can find 3 videos of learners undertaking our qualifications across primary, secondary and post 16, reading from their favourite book.

    Penelope-Rae
    (Primary level)

    Freddie
    (Secondary level)

    Siyon
    (16+)

    ESB Staff join the celebration

    To further celebrate World Book Day, ESB’s staff are also embracing this initiative. Staff members were invited to record a short video recommending a book and reading an excerpt, reinforcing the message that reading is a lifelong joy, no matter how old you are!

    Contact business@esbuk.org today and we would be delighted to discuss how our qualifications can support learners in developing their love of reading!

  • 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.