Oracy

Helping Children Find Their Voice

At Bacton Primary School, we want every child to become a confident speaker, attentive listener and effective communicator. We believe that oracy is fundamental to learning and is essential in helping children succeed at school, build positive relationships and prepare for life beyond primary education.

Oracy supports learning, inclusion and belonging across our school. We recognise that communication is fundamental to academic success, emotional wellbeing and positive relationships. By deliberately developing pupils' spoken language, vocabulary and confidence, we help children access the curriculum, express themselves effectively and participate fully in school life.

We recognise that communication can sometimes be a barrier to learning, belonging and self-regulation. Through our focus on oracy, we aim to ensure every child develops the confidence and language needed to communicate their needs, express their feelings, contribute to discussions and access the full curriculum.

Our Approach

Our approach to oracy is built around four key strands:

Physical

How we use our voice and body language to communicate effectively.

Children learn to:

• Speak clearly and audibly.
• Use appropriate pace, volume and expression.
• Maintain eye contact where appropriate.
• Present confidently to different audiences.

Linguistic

The vocabulary and language structures we use.

Children learn to:

• Speak in full sentences.
• Use increasingly ambitious vocabulary.
• Apply subject-specific language accurately.
• Adapt their language for different audiences and purposes.

Cognitive

How we develop, organise and communicate ideas.

Children learn to:

• Explain their thinking clearly.
• Justify opinions using evidence and reasoning.
• Ask thoughtful questions.
• Build on the ideas of others.
• Summarise, analyse and evaluate information.

Social and Emotional

How we communicate and work with others.

Children learn to:

• Listen actively and respectfully.
• Take turns appropriately.
• Collaborate with others.
• Show empathy and understanding.
• Lead and contribute positively to discussions.

What Are We Doing?

Oracy Across the Curriculum

Oracy is planned for and taught across all subjects. Subject leaders are responsible for ensuring that speaking, listening and vocabulary development are embedded within their curriculum areas. They identify the key vocabulary, discussion opportunities and communication skills pupils need to be successful within their subject.

Across the curriculum, pupils are regularly encouraged to explain their thinking, ask questions, justify opinions, present ideas and engage in meaningful discussion.

Building Vocabulary

Every subject explicitly teaches subject-specific vocabulary. New words are introduced, modelled, practised and revisited so that pupils develop the language needed to communicate their learning with increasing confidence and precision.

Vocabulary progression is mapped across year groups and embedded within curriculum planning to ensure pupils continually build upon prior learning.

Clear Progression

Oracy skills develop progressively from Reception to Year 6.

• EYFS: Children learn to listen attentively, participate in back-and-forth conversations, retell stories, ask questions and communicate in simple sentences.
• Key Stage 1: Children build confidence speaking in front of others, explaining ideas, using new vocabulary and participating in discussions.
• Lower Key Stage 2: Children justify opinions, present information, ask thoughtful questions and adapt their language for different audiences.
• Upper Key Stage 2: Children confidently present, debate, reason, evaluate and communicate ideas using increasingly sophisticated vocabulary and subject-specific language.

This progression ensures pupils continually build the communication skills needed for the next stage of their education.

Inclusion and Belonging

All pupils are encouraged and supported to contribute. Teachers use adaptive approaches to ensure every child can participate successfully, including pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and those with lower levels of language development.

We believe every child deserves to have their voice heard and to feel that their views and experiences matter.

Celebrating Diversity

Through books, curriculum content, assemblies, discussions and pupil voice opportunities, children encounter a wide range of experiences, viewpoints and cultures. This helps pupils develop empathy, respect, curiosity and a deeper understanding of the wider world.

Early Language Development

We recognise that strong communication skills begin with strong foundations. Additional support is provided where needed through high-quality interactions, storytelling, structured talk opportunities, vocabulary development, Language Link screening and targeted interventions.

We value meaningful back-and-forth conversations and recognise that language develops through interaction, discussion and shared thinking. Adults model high-quality communication by talking with children rather than simply talking to them.

Pupil Voice

Children are regularly encouraged to share their opinions, ideas and experiences. Through classroom discussions, assemblies, school council, leadership opportunities and wider school life, pupils learn that their voice matters and that they can contribute positively to their school community.

Oracy Across Our Curriculum

All subject leaders ensure that oracy is an integral part of curriculum design and implementation.

Each curriculum area identifies:

• Key subject-specific vocabulary.
• Opportunities for discussion and collaborative learning.
• Ways for pupils to explain, justify and present their understanding.
• Progressive speaking and listening expectations across year groups.
• Opportunities to develop reasoning, questioning and critical thinking.

As a result, children learn not only what to say, but how to communicate effectively as historians, scientists, artists, geographers, mathematicians, readers and writers.

Why Is This Important?

Strong speaking and listening skills help children to:

• Learn more effectively across the curriculum.
• Understand and use increasingly sophisticated vocabulary.
• Explain, justify and refine their thinking.
• Build confidence and self-esteem.
• Develop positive relationships with others.
• Participate actively in school life.
• Regulate emotions and communicate their needs effectively.
• Prepare successfully for the next stage of their education and life beyond primary school.

We believe children are more able to regulate emotions, solve problems and build positive relationships when they have the language to communicate effectively. Oracy therefore supports our wider work around wellbeing, belonging, behaviour and Therapeutic Thinking.

How We Know It Is Working

Leaders monitor the impact of oracy through:

• Lesson visits and learning walks.
• Pupil voice and discussions with children.
• Curriculum monitoring by subject leaders.
• Assessment of vocabulary development.
• Observations of classroom discussion and participation.
• The quality of pupils' explanations, presentations and reasoning across the curriculum.
• Opportunities for public speaking, performance and pupil leadership.

We expect pupils to become increasingly confident communicators who can articulate their learning, express their views respectfully, use ambitious vocabulary and engage thoughtfully with others.

Together, we can help every child find their voice, develop confidence in who they are and aspire to be the very best version of themselves.