What is Oracy? 

Oracy is the ability to express ourselves effectively through spoken language and to listen, understand and respond thoughtfully to others. It enables children to communicate their ideas, share their opinions, ask questions, explain their thinking and develop meaningful relationships. 

At Lawn Primary and Nursery School, we recognise that oracy is fundamental to children's learning, personal development and future success. Through purposeful conversations, high-quality interactions and planned opportunities to talk, children develop the language, vocabulary and communication skills they need to make sense of the world around them. 

Oracy is woven throughout our curriculum and everyday experiences, from the earliest interactions in the Early Years to discussions and explanations in Key Stage 2. We support children to become confident communicators who can articulate their thoughts, listen with respect, consider different perspectives and use their voices to learn, connect with others and express who they are. 

Our Oracy Vision 

At Lawn Primary and Nursery School, we want every child to find their voice, develop their confidence and recognise the value of their ideas. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to communicate, be heard and feel that their contributions matter. 

Our vision is to create a language-rich learning community where oracy is valued, explicitly developed and embedded throughout the curriculum. From the earliest stages of language development, we nurture children's ability to listen, understand, express themselves and engage in meaningful conversations. As children progress through school, we build on these foundations, developing their vocabulary, reasoning, confidence and ability to communicate effectively in a range of contexts. 

We are committed to ensuring that every child, whatever their starting point, has the opportunities, support and language they need to participate fully in learning and in the wider world. Through oracy, we aim to develop curious thinkers, thoughtful listeners and confident communicators who can express their ideas, understand others and use their voices with purpose. 

The Four Strands of Oracy 

Physical and Vocal 

How we use our voices and bodies to communicate. Children develop awareness of volume, pace, tone, clarity, facial expressions, gestures and body language to help convey meaning. 

Cognitive 

How we organise our thoughts, develop ideas and communicate our thinking. Children learn to explain, reason, question, make connections and respond thoughtfully to what they hear. 

Linguistic 

The language we use to communicate meaning. Children develop their vocabulary, sentence structures and word choices, learning to express themselves clearly and adapt their language to different situations. 

Social and Emotional 

How we communicate with and relate to others. Children develop confidence, empathy, active listening and respect for different viewpoints, learning to take turns, collaborate and contribute positively to conversations. 

Oracy Across Our School 

Oracy begins with the earliest interactions between children and the adults around them. In our Early Years, we prioritise warm, responsive interactions, shared attention, conversation and the development of vocabulary through play and everyday experiences. As children move through school, these foundations are strengthened through purposeful talk, collaborative learning, discussion, questioning, explanation and opportunities to share ideas across the curriculum. 

We recognise that children develop communication skills at different rates and provide appropriate modelling, scaffolding and support so that every child can participate and make progress. By making oracy part of everyday school life, we aim to ensure that all children develop the skills and confidence to communicate effectively, both now and in the future.