Oracy
At Wigmore Primary School, we believe oracy is a powerful learning tool and so, we have ensured that oracy is threaded throughout our curriculum and embedded into learning. Opportunities for high-quality oracy at Wigmore Primary School are vast. Not only do pupils learn through talk, but they also learn to talk.
At the start of the Early Years Foundation Stage, children who need additional support with language utilise the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI), designed to improve the oral language skills of children in need of targeted support. The programme is delivered by trained staff through small group and one-to-one sessions.
In our Early Years classrooms, we place a strong emphasis on developing children's communication and language skills from the very beginning. Staff use the SHREC approach to support high-quality interactions: Sharing Attention, Responding, Expanding and Conversing. Through play, story times, group discussions and everyday classroom experiences, adults carefully model language, extend children's vocabulary and encourage meaningful conversations. These interactions help children become confident communicators, able to express their ideas, needs and feelings, while developing the language foundations necessary for future learning.
Across the school, our approach to oracy is underpinned by the principles of Voice 21. We recognise that spoken language is central to learning, wellbeing and future success. Teachers deliberately plan opportunities for pupils to learn through talk and to learn how to talk effectively. Through discussion, debate, questioning, presentation and collaborative learning, pupils develop the confidence to express their ideas clearly, listen actively to others and build upon the views of their peers.
Our curriculum promotes the four strands of oracy development: Physical, Linguistic, Cognitive and Social & Emotional. By explicitly teaching and modelling these skills, we support pupils to become articulate, thoughtful and respectful communicators who are able to participate confidently in a range of contexts and audiences.
As children progress through the school, they are provided with regular opportunities to discuss, debate, explain, present and reflect across all curriculum areas. Our oracy curriculum equips pupils with the communication skills they need to thrive academically, socially and in their future lives.
Click on the link below to find out more about our approach to oracy.