On 3^rd March Ruskin held a ‘no pen day’. Across the curriculum students put down their pens as teachers led activities that relied on verbal communication. From human sentences in French, to debates on ‘is this Art’ in Art, the enthusiasm for creative learning approaches was clearly evident. Beyond the fun, putting pens aside helps raise awareness of communication as a key life skill. Verbal communication skills are essential in developing our writing and comprehension abilities as well as managing emotions, developing friendships and preparing us for employment.