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    • Oracy

    In September 2024, we began our oracy journey with Voice 21. Our aim is to help every child develop the confidence and skills to share their ideas, listen to others and take an active part in their learning.

    What is Oracy?

    Oracy is the ability to communicate effectively through speaking and listening. It involves expressing ideas clearly, asking thoughtful questions, listening carefully and exploring different points of view.

    Through oracy, children learn both to talk and through talk—developing their communication skills while using discussion to deepen their understanding.

    Why Do We Do It?

    We want every child to feel that their voice matters. Our focus on oracy aims to help children:

    • Build confidence in expressing their thoughts and ideas.

    • Develop their vocabulary and explain their understanding.

    • Listen respectfully and consider other perspectives.

    • Work together, ask questions and solve problems.

    • Develop communication skills for school and everyday life.

    Speaking and listening are valuable parts of learning. Talking ideas through can help children make sense of new information and learn from one another.

    The Oracy Framework

    The Oracy Framework, developed by Voice 21 and Oracy Cambridge, brings together four connected areas of speaking and listening:

    • Physical: How we use our voice and body to communicate, including volume, pace, facial expressions and gestures.

    • Linguistic: How we choose vocabulary and organise our language to express meaning clearly.

    • Cognitive: How we organise our ideas, explain our reasoning, ask questions and build on what others say.

    • Social and emotional: How we listen, take turns, work with others and develop confidence, while thinking about the people we are speaking to.

    Together, these areas help us understand and develop effective communication.

    Our Oracy Journey

    Since beginning our journey in September 2024, our goal has been to make purposeful talk an important part of school life. We want children to feel supported as they practise speaking and listening, and to know that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

    Every voice matters, and every child deserves to be heard.