English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. sponsors the Independent Schools Partnership Network (ISPN) Event
Apr 30, 2024
English Speaking Board (International) is proud to sponsor the Independent Schools Partnership Network (ISPN) event which is taking place on 30th April and 1st 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.
“What makes ESB different from other public speaking exams is that an integral part of it is how well the candidates support and interact with each other, necessitating them listening to and engaging with each other’s presentations. They always come away having learnt lots, feeling more confident in their skills and claiming that it is the most enjoyable exam they have ever done.”
Pippa Quarrell, Assistant Head (Tutoring) , Bryanston School, Dorset
“What I particularly like about ESB is the opportunity for our pupils to choose their own topics, and they really choose topics that they are passionate about, care about, and they are happy to prepare and research their topics. I think in an age where we are expecting our pupils to take stands, it is important that we equip our pupils with the right kind of tools to be able to negotiate tactfully, respectfully and listen to each other in good, healthy debates.”
Sarah Belotti, Head at Mill Hill International School, London
“ESB is a really great programme to open students up to new opportunities and new challenges, particularly in gaining confidence with speaking to small groups of people. They have the opportunity to build their public speaking skills, which is a really important thing, especially for the children of this generation.”
Bernadette Goulding, English Teacher at Queen’s College, London
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.