What is critical oracy, and what is the state of oracy in our schools at the moment?

Critical oracy is talk which involves engaging with people, ideas and the outside world, as opposed to performance oracy which might be delivering a pre-written speech, taking a scripted role in a play or reciting poetry. The profile of oracy in schools is increasing and more evidence is being gathered about its importance both in relation to academic attainment and also as a driver of social mobility. At the same time, studies are showing that teachers feel unsupported in using oracy in the classroom.