At Lady Margaret Primary School, we believe that oracy – the ability to communicate through speaking and listening – is just as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic.

We consider oracy to be an essential skill that supports children in every area of their education and prepares them for life beyond school.

Our aim is to ensure that every child has the confidence and ability to communicate clearly, express their ideas, and listen carefully to others.

We provide students with plenty of opportunities to practise these skills, whether through talk partners, debates, student-led assemblies, or our termly podcasts. These activities allow children to develop their speaking and listening abilities in a supportive, real-world context. In the classroom, we focus on helping students to become thoughtful speakers and listeners.

They are encouraged to take on different roles in discussions, such as explaining, listening, and challenging ideas, and to practise key skills like asking questions and building on others’ thoughts. By embedding these practices throughout their learning, we aim to give all children the tools to communicate confidently, respectfully, and effectively. We believe that by prioritising oracy, we are giving our students the skills they need to succeed both in school and in their future lives.

We aim for every child at Lady Margaret Primary School to leave Year 6 with the confidence and skills to speak and listen effectively in all situations. Oracy is at the heart of our teaching, ensuring that students develop the ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and confidently across all areas of life.

By the time they leave us, students will be confident speakers, able to share their ideas in class, lead discussions, and present at assemblies. They will be active listeners, responding thoughtfully and respectfully to others’ perspectives. Our students will express themselves clearly, using appropriate language to explain, inform, or argue their points, and will ask insightful questions that deepen understanding and encourage meaningful conversation.

In group discussions, students will collaborate effectively, building on ideas, solving problems, and making decisions together. They will also reflect on their own communication skills, knowing how to improve and adapt to different situations. We believe these skills will empower our students not only to succeed in school but also to thrive in their future lives as confident, thoughtful communicators.

Supporting your child’s oracy development at home is a valuable way to strengthen their communication skills. Whether your child is fluent in English or learning English as an additional language, there are many simple and effective ways to encourage clear and confident speaking and listening.

Start by creating opportunities for conversation. Encourage your child to talk about their day, share their thoughts on a book they’ve read, or explain something they’ve learned. Give them time to think and respond, showing that their ideas are valued. This helps develop their confidence in expressing themselves. For children with English as an additional language, focus on providing a safe and supportive environment for them to practise speaking without the fear of making mistakes.

Use simple, clear language, and model new words or phrases. You can also use pictures, gestures, or real-life objects to support understanding and build vocabulary. For children with a stammer or other verbal needs, it’s important to be patient and flexible in your approach. You might use visual aids, storyboards, or social stories to help them express their ideas.

Encourage them to take part in family discussions, ensuring that they feel heard and valued, and provide positive reinforcement when they communicate, no matter how small the steps. Ask open-ended questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer. Questions like “What do you think about…?” or “Can you explain why…?” will encourage your child to think more deeply and elaborate on their ideas. This not only strengthens oracy but also promotes critical thinking.

For all children, role-playing and having fun with different voices, accents, or characters can be a great way to practise communication skills in a relaxed setting. Listening to and retelling stories together also helps develop both speaking and listening skills, which are key components of oracy. Finally, celebrate your child’s efforts in speaking and listening, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement helps build their confidence and encourages a love of sharing ideas with others.