Oracy
At our school, oracy is at the heart of learning and is developed as an essential life skill from EYFS to Year 6. Communication is one of our school’s ERIC values, and we are passionate about ensuring every child develops the confidence, vocabulary and skills to express themselves clearly, listen thoughtfully and communicate successfully with others. We believe strong spoken language skills are fundamental to children’s academic success, personal development and future opportunities.
From the very beginning of school life, children are immersed in a language-rich environment where talk, play and interaction are carefully nurtured. In EYFS, our curriculum is rooted in the Communication and Language area of learning, helping children to develop listening, attention and understanding alongside their confidence in speaking. Through stories, role play, singing, storytelling and high-quality adult interactions, children quickly learn to share ideas, ask questions and communicate their thoughts with increasing confidence.
As pupils move through the school, oracy is explicitly taught and embedded across the curriculum. Children are encouraged to articulate their thinking, discuss ideas and justify their opinions in every subject area. Teachers carefully model ambitious vocabulary and provide structured opportunities for discussion through talk partners, collaborative learning and group activities, helping all pupils to become confident and articulate speakers.
We place great value on giving children meaningful opportunities to speak in front of others and develop their confidence beyond the classroom. Pupils regularly take part in debates and discussions within foundation subjects, allowing them to present arguments, challenge ideas respectfully and think critically about the world around them. In English, children develop fluency and expression through reading aloud, performance poetry and drama. School productions, assemblies, performances and presentations further enable pupils to grow in confidence and develop a strong sense of self-belief when speaking to an audience.
Throughout the school, children are taught to listen carefully, respond respectfully and value the opinions of others. Visitors to our school will see pupils confidently sharing ideas, explaining their reasoning and engaging enthusiastically in purposeful discussion. These experiences help children to develop confidence, resilience, curiosity and strong interpersonal skills that prepare them exceptionally well for the next stage of their education.
By the end of Year 6, our pupils are confident, articulate and thoughtful communicators who can express themselves clearly and engage effectively in a wide range of situations. Oracy underpins all learning at our school, empowering children to thrive academically, socially and personally.