At Sir John Heron Primary School, our intent is to foster a culture of Oracy that enables all pupils to communicate effectively and confidently in a variety of contexts. We recognise that Oracy is a fundamental skill that not only enhances learning across the curriculum but also supports social development and emotional well-being. Our aim is to ensure that every child:

• Develops Speaking and Listening Skills: We provide opportunities for pupils to articulate their thoughts clearly and listen actively, fostering respectful interaction and collaboration.
• Builds Vocabulary and Language Competence: We promote rich vocabulary development across the curriculum which equips pupils with the language needed to express complex ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue.
• Engages in Critical Thinking: Our Oracy curriculum encourages pupils to think critically and constructively evaluate their ideas and those of others, facilitating higher-order thinking skills essential for their future.
• Demonstrates Confidence and Resilience: We aim to build pupils' self-esteem through structured Oracy opportunities, enabling them to present and discuss their viewpoints confidently.

To achieve our Oracy intent, we employ a range of strategic approaches in our implementation:

• Structured Oracy Curriculum: We have discrete oracy lessons each week to teach explicit oracy skills.  Physical elements look at the way in which children use their speed and volume of speech as well as their gestures and facial expressions; Linguistic elements look at the way in which children structure their sentence and the vocabulary that they use; Cognitive elements look at the clarity of what children are saying and their ability to build on what they have heard others say; Social and Emotional elements look at the ways that children can engage with an audience, encourage others to speak and listen to one another. These skills are taught through specific forms of speaking and listening:  

                  Autumn 1: Performance- Poetry and Autumn 2: Presenting

                  Spring 1: Discussion and  Spring 2: Performance- Drama 

                  Summer 1: Presenting and Summer 2: Debating

• Collaborative Learning Opportunities: Pupils engage in group work and partner discussions, allowing them to practice and refine their speaking and listening skills. We incorporate protocols for peer feedback, promoting a supportive learning environment that values every voice.
• Rich Text Engagement: We utilise high-quality literature and diverse resources to stimulate discussion, enhance vocabulary, and provide context for pupils to express their ideas and opinions. This not only encourages creativity but also cultivates an appreciation for language.
• Oracy across the Curriculum: Teachers receive professional development on incorporating Oracy strategies into their subject areas, ensuring all disciplines support the development of oracy skills. We create cross-curricular projects that require collaborative discussions and presentations.
• Regular Assessment and Feedback: We implement formative assessment practices to evaluate pupils' oracy skills. Teachers provide ongoing feedback, and pupils engage in self-assessment to reflect on their progress, fostering a growth mindset.
• Community engagement: Parents and carers are invited to participate in events such as coffee mornings to see and hear about the way in which Oracy is taught in school and  how they can support their child’s learning.  

The impact of our whole school approach to Oracy is measured through a variety of indicators:

• Pupil Progress: Observational data and assessment outcomes demonstrate significant improvement in pupils' speaking and listening skills, showing enhanced confidence in their ability to express themselves articulately and with conviction.
• Engagement in Learning: Pupils show increased engagement during lessons, contributing actively to discussions and demonstrating initiative in collaborative tasks. Regular feedback from pupil voice surveys highlights their enjoyment of Oracy activities.
• Academic Achievement: There is a noticeable correlation between strong Oracy skills and improved academic performance across the curriculum, as pupils can articulate their understanding and reason effectively.
• Social Skills and Emotional Intelligence: We observe an increase in collaborative skills among pupils, including empathy, respect, and the ability to navigate disagreements constructively. This contributes to a positive school culture and community cohesion.  Sharing assemblies are given by the children to their significant adults, using their presentations and performance skills. Our pupil voice groups support parental engagement events, meet with the governing body, host assemblies and showcase the positive outcomes of our Oracy curriculum whilst developing their oracy skills and experiences with a community engagement context. 

At Sir John Heron Primary School, we are committed to maintaining and continually enhancing our Oracy curriculum, ensuring that it remains robust and responsive to the evolving needs of our pupils. By embedding Oracy deeply within our educational framework, we are preparing our pupils not only for academic success but for life beyond school.