Oracy

At Owston Park, we recognise that strong spoken language underpins all learning. Through the purposeful development of oracy, we ensure that children acquire the vocabulary, confidence and communication skills they need to succeed both academically and socially. We believe that early language development is crucial; the ability to articulate thoughts clearly supports understanding, deepens thinking and enables children to fully access the curriculum.

Our approach is underpinned by the Voice 21 Oracy Framework, which develops pupils’ skills across the physical, linguistic, cognitive and social and emotional strands of communication. Alongside this, we draw on the Skills Builder framework to explicitly teach and reinforce essential skills such as speaking, listening, teamwork and leadership.

Through explicit oracy teaching, we provide carefully planned opportunities for discussion, debate and presentation where pupils learn how to express their ideas clearly, justify their opinions with evidence and respond thoughtfully to others. By embedding oracy throughout the curriculum and teaching it explicitly, we aim to develop confident, articulate individuals who are able to engage positively in their learning and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

Children regularly showcase their learning through assemblies for parents, providing meaningful opportunities to develop their oracy skills. By speaking to a real audience, pupils practise key elements of the Voice 21 framework, including voice projection, expression, vocabulary choice and physical presence. These experiences help children to become confident, articulate speakers who can communicate effectively in a range of contexts.

You can read more here about Voice 21

Our Oracy Road Map:

Watch this space - our discussion guidelines are coming soon!