Slater Primary School
Together We Believe. Together We Achieve
Oracy
Why Oracy Matters at Slater Primary
At Slater Primary, we believe oracy—the ability to speak clearly, confidently, and respectfully—is a vital skill that empowers children to learn, connect, and thrive. We embed oracy throughout school life because we know that the ability to express ideas, listen actively, and engage in meaningful dialogue supports not only academic achievement but also personal and social development.
What Oracy Looks Like at Slater Primary
- Classroom Culture: Every classroom is a safe space for talk. Pupils are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and respectfully challenge ideas. We celebrate every voice, and children know that their contributions are valued. Sentence stems, talk prompts, and active listening routines help structure discussions and give all pupils the tools to participate with confidence.
- Lesson Planning: Oracy is built into our lessons across the curriculum—from rehearsing ideas in English, to explaining reasoning in maths, to debating big questions in history and science. Teachers plan for purposeful talk, including partner discussions, group tasks, role play, storytelling, presentations, and structured debates.
- Supportive of One Another: Our children learn to listen with care, build on each other's ideas, and speak with kindness. Talk rules and group discussion guidelines are co-created and revisited regularly. Peer feedback is encouraged in a constructive way that promotes growth and mutual respect.
- Access for All: We ensure that every child, regardless of background or need, has opportunities to develop their oracy skills. This includes scaffolding for children with SEND or EAL, using visuals, sentence starters, and targeted support so that all pupils can access and enjoy rich, meaningful talk.
At Slater Primary, oracy is more than just speaking and listening—it’s about building a learning community where every voice matters and every child is given the tools to succeed.