A group of Cloughside students recently visited Bury Art Museum to explore OPEN 2025, using the exhibition as a brilliant opportunity to practise speaking and listening skills beyond the classroom.
The focus of the visit was oracy and critique. Students were asked to choose artworks they connected with, discuss what they liked and why, and then vote for the pieces they felt should win a prize. This helped students to move beyond “I like it” and towards explaining their thinking clearly, using details from the work to support their views.
Mrs Ingham, Headteacher, said:
“We want our students to be able to express ideas clearly and calmly, especially when something feels unfamiliar. A gallery is a brilliant place to practise that. It gives students the chance to share opinions, listen to others, and explain their reasons with confidence.”
The range of work on display prompted lively discussion, with students commenting on colour, mood, materials and meaning. Staff supported students to listen carefully to each other, build on what others said, and disagree respectfully when opinions differed, exactly the kind of communication that strengthens confidence and learning across subjects.
Mrs Bentley, Art Teacher, said:
“Critiquing art is not about getting a ‘right answer’. It’s about noticing, interpreting, and explaining your thinking. Asking students to pick favourites and justify their views helped them to look more carefully and speak more precisely.”
The visit also linked to our ongoing cross-curricular work on literacy and spoken language, led by Miss Wensley, with a shared emphasis on helping students develop the vocabulary and structures needed to express ideas well.
Miss Wensley, English Teacher, said:
“Oracy is the foundation for all aspects of literacy. It improves critical thinking, boosts confidence and enhances academic performance in all subjects. Opportunities outside the classroom where discussion is promoted and can flourish are vital for our students' development. "
We are grateful to Bury Art Museum for hosting us and providing a welcoming space where students could practise these skills in a setting that feels different to school, while still being purposeful. Visits like this help students build confidence, broaden experiences, and see that strong communication matters everywhere.
If you would like to visit the exhibition at Bury Art Museum, OPEN 2025 runs from 15 November 2025 until 21 February 2026.