Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas and engage with others through spoken language. It has become a vital part of our curriculum at Redriff. From Nursery to Year 6, children build upon key areas which encourage them to be better communicators. These include Physical, Linguistic, Cognitive and Social & Emotional skills. Children engage in oracy activities throughout their learning, be it in answering questions in full sentences, participating in small class discussions, developing vocabulary, presenting work in class and participating in assemblies. Having Oracy as an integral part of our curriculum ensures all children leave school with the ability and confidence to communicate their needs and ideas effectively.
Oracy practice within class
Teacher use a range of approaches to engage in oracy explicit activities as learning through talk is practised in every classroom. Teachers harness oracy to elevate the learning- spring boards for talk are used to stimulate opinion and conversation and where appropriate, talk tasks are scaffolded with sentence stems and frames. Teachers set high expectations for talk, creating a supportive classroom culture which nurtures oracy- they model and use resources to teach children the oracy skills they need to participate successfully in a talk task. Skills in speaking and listening are explicitly taught and praised- teachers give recognition and feedback related specifically to their oracy skills.
Debate Mate
Debate Mate have been working with the school for some time now and debating lessons are incorporated throughout the curriculum. Debating not only create a dynamic classroom with discussion and curiosity, it gives children the opportunity to practice agreeing and disagreeing respectfully by forming reasoned arguments.
Our debating teams are made up of children from Year 5 and 6. Working alongside Debate, the children take part in a 17-week programme where they have the opportunity to participate in the Urban Debate League (a national competition of primary schools whom each compete for the title of Debate Mate Champion). Not only do these children make progress in speaking and listening, they strengthen their emotional capacity through building confidence, empathy and resilience.
Enrichment Opportunities at Redriff
At Redriff, we provide children with a number of opportunities to showcase their wonderful oracy skills. Class assemblies are performed by all classes, and offers children the chance to present in front of larger audiences. Our termly Recital Assemblies allow children show off their skills, reciting poetry, jokes, tongue twisters and even performing parts of plays!
School Council is a group of democratically elected individuals who represent their peers in the wider school community. They meet bi-weekly to voice their opinions and ideas or work on collaborative projects. For instance, in the past children have worked on projects, which have focussed on improving the playground, school meals and raising money for charities of their choice. This allows the children to have a voice and ensure their environment reflects them. School council allows children to develop their oracy skills. In our meetings, we actively listen, build on others ideas and engage in debates to come to unanimous decisions. The school council team often present their ideas to the whole school, building upon their public speaking skills.
Oracy in the Boat House
Developing the communication skills of children with Special Educational Needs is vital, and the team within the Resource Base (‘The Boathouse’) ensure children are equipped with the resources and skills to communicate their needs and ideas effectively. This includes making use of communication boards and technology, and creating opportunities for purposeful information sharing through our interactions and daily practice. Makaton is used throughout the school, allowing all children to communicate with each other regardless of needs. We also use Widgit symbols to facilitate learning and understanding between children and staff within school. Children with SEND are part of all group activities, participate in assemblies, and are a valued part of the Redriff school community?.
Pupil voice:
“I like activities when we are talking because I can explain what I am thinking.”
“I like drama activities because it makes the learning because it is interesting and engaging.”
Pupil voices
What do you think Oracy is?
Speaking in a loud voice. Being respectful to the person who’s talking. Oracy is speech skills and learning without a paper or a pen. Oracy is like a band – it’s a group of things; talking, expressing feelings in words, communicating with people in different ways like using sign language. Oracy is a way of telling people something, in a way they can understand.
When do you use Oracy?
In class assemblies, on Awesome Oracy Day and with talk partners. When you’re speaking to anyone and answering questions. When someone doesn’t understand. You can use signs for communication and Oracy too. Understanding how others are feeling through their words.
Do you think Oracy is important? Why?
No-one would understand us! Class assemblies wouldn’t be as good. It would be hard to learn. If you can’t communicate, you can’t do anything! If you didn’t have Oracy skills, people won’t know your feelings.