Oracy

At St Barnabas Nursery and Primary, we believe that spoken language is a cornerstone of learning and personal development. Children learn best when they can talk about what they are learning, ask questions, explain ideas and listen carefully to others. High quality talk supports reading and writing and enables pupils to make sense of the world around them.

Oracy is woven deliberately through our curriculum so that all pupils develop the knowledge, vocabulary and confidence to communicate effectively. Pupils are given regular opportunities to speak for different purposes, including building understanding, debating and persuading, collaborating to solve problems, and expressing themselves through performance, storytelling and presentations.

Teachers establish clear routines for talk so that pupils know how to participate confidently and respectfully. Children work with talk partners, in small groups and in whole class discussions. Time is given for pupils to think before they speak, and scaffolds such as sentence starters and key vocabulary are used where needed. This reduces cognitive load and allows pupils to focus on the content of what they want to say.

Talk always has a clear purpose. Pupils understand why they are being asked to discuss, explain or present and how this will deepen their learning. Opportunities for speaking and listening are carefully planned within lessons and across subjects so that they are consistent, progressive and accessible to all.

Through this intentional approach, pupils develop rich vocabulary, clarity of expression and the ability to listen, respond and build on the ideas of others. They become confident communicators who can articulate their thinking, share their views respectfully and adapt their spoken language for different audiences and contexts.

Oracy supports our values of love, belonging and aspiration, ensuring that every child feels heard, valued and empowered to find and use their voice.