ORACY
From June 2026, we have been proudly accredited as an Oracy School of Excellence by Voice21, recognising our strong commitment to high-quality speaking and listening across the school.
AIMS
Key Stage 1
Clarity and Purpose:
Pupils will learn to speak clearly, accurately, and with coherence. They will adapt their language, tone, and style to suit different contexts, purposes, and audiences.
Learn Through Talk:
Pupils will use discussion as a tool for learning—explaining their thinking, building on others' ideas, and deepening their understanding through purposeful conversation.
Confidence:
Pupils will develop competence in both formal and informal speaking. This includes making presentations, demonstrating learning, taking part in debates, and active listening.
Respect:
Pupils will listen attentively and respond appropriately to peers and adults. They will consider different viewpoints and build on the contributions of others in a respectful and thoughtful manner.
Oracy Strands:
Pupils will grow in confidence across the four strands of the Oracy Framework:
Physical: voice control, pace, and body language.
Linguistic: vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
Cognitive: content, reasoning, and structure.
Social & Emotional: confidence, group interaction, and listening.
Vocabulary Development:
Pupils will engage with key vocabulary through regular use of the oracy vocabulary wall, helping them to use and understand subject-specific language accurately and confidently.
Early Years Foundation Stage
Quality Interactions:
Pupils are immersed in a language-rich environment where they engage in high-quality conversations with adults and peers throughout the day.
From the earliest stages, pupils experience meaningful, responsive interactions. These back-and-forth exchanges form the foundation for both language development and wider cognitive growth.
Vocabulary:
Pupils are supported in forming meaning around tier 3 (topic-specific) vocabulary through conceptual teaching methods—such as linking words to the concept cat song and toy— to deepen understanding during topic input sessions.
Pupils are given extensive opportunities to hear, use, and embed new vocabulary across a range of meaningful contexts. This includes regular exposure to stories, non-fiction texts, rhymes, and poems.
Oracy Strands:
Pupils will begin to learn and understand the four strands of the Oracy Framework:
Physical: Body language.
Linguistic: Vocabulary and sentence structure.
Cognitive: Reasoning.
Social & Emotional: Confidence, turn taking and listening.
Imagination:
Storytelling, conversation, and role play are used daily as platforms for Pupils to share their ideas. Adults provide modelling and gentle scaffolding to support expressive, thoughtful talk.
Confidence:
Pupils are encouraged and supported to use a wide range of vocabulary and language structures. They feel confident to speak in full sentences, offer explanations, and elaborate on their thoughts in conversation.
APPROACH
At Catherine Infant School, we believe that pupils learn best through talk—both learning to talk and learning through talk. We encourage children to build on and respectfully challenge each other’s ideas, using discussion as a key part of their learning journey. Talk is not only a way to share ideas, but a powerful tool for deepening understanding. We provide daily opportunities for pupils to develop and celebrate their speaking and listening skills through exploratory, presentational and nurturing talk, and we actively recognise and praise their growing confidence and ability.
Learning Through Talk
We design classroom talk carefully so that children can explore and deepen their understanding across all subjects.
Talk is planned, modelled, and supported by teachers.
We help children build the skills they need to express their ideas clearly and listen thoughtfully to others.
Speaking and listening are central to learning, not added extras.
We teach oracy deliberately and consistently across all year groups and subjects.
Children are taught how to talk for different purposes—from sharing stories to solving problems.
In turn, this helps every child make progress in the four key stands of oracy:
- Physical (voice and body language)
- Linguistic (vocabulary and sentence structure)
- Cognitive (reasoning and thinking aloud)
- Social & Emotional (confidence, turn-taking, active listening)
Assessment and Planning
The oracy framework helps teachers to identify what pupils have already learned and where they need more support.
Teachers use the framework plan next steps in speaking and listening.
It helps to track progress, just like we do with reading and writing.
We use the Voice 21 oracy benchmarks and guidance to navigate our teaching.
These benchmarks and resources help teachers reflect on and improve how they use talk in lessons.
Whether a teacher is just beginning or already confident, the benchmarks provide clear, practical guidance.
All teachers collaboratively work together to build a strong, shared culture of oracy.
We embed oracy into throughout our curriculum with intended talk outcomes that are purposefully planned.
