At Stoke St Gregory Primary School, the development of pupils’ spoken language underpins our entire curriculum. High-quality speaking and listening are fundamental to learning, thinking and personal development. We ensure that all children learn to communicate confidently, articulate their understanding clearly and listen respectfully to others. Our approach reflects expectations within the Ofsted framework, the National Curriculum for English, and the EYFS statutory requirements for communication and language.

A Strong Foundation in Early Language (EYFS and KS1)

In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, oracy is a major focus. Children are supported to develop:

• Rich and widening vocabulary, taught explicitly in continuous provision, phonics sessions and story time
• Oral composition skills, modelled and rehearsed before writing
• Clear sentence structure, supported by stem sentences, visual scaffolds and learning partners
• Listening and attention, nurtured through high-quality adult–child interactions
• Confidence to speak in small groups, whole-class settings and during collaborative tasks

Daily opportunities for talk, role-play, questioning and explanation allow pupils to build strong language foundations that enable later success across the curriculum.

Speaking and Listening Across the Curriculum (KS1 and KS2)

Speaking and listening are developed beyond English lessons, embedded in every subject. Teachers deliberately plan opportunities for pupils to:

• Discuss, debate and explain ideas using subject-specific vocabulary
• Use learning partners, group discussion and oral rehearsal to deepen understanding
• Respond to questions using complete, high-quality sentences
• Present knowledge clearly and confidently
• Build reasoning skills in subjects such as maths, science and history
• Use stem sentences and key vocabulary to structure accurate, academic talk

Each subject’s vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited, helping children use language precisely and confidently.

Vocabulary: A Whole-School Priority

Vocabulary development is central to our curriculum across all phases. We:

• Sequence key vocabulary deliberately in long-term plans
• Teach and revisit vocabulary using dual coding, modelling and repetition
• Embed vocabulary in displays, working walls and knowledge organisers
• Introduce disciplinary language across subjects such as art, geography, science and history
• Ensure disadvantaged and EAL pupils have explicit support to secure foundational language

A strong focus on vocabulary allows pupils to articulate complex ideas effectively and supports reading comprehension and writing fluency.

Opportunities for Performance and Public Speaking

We believe all children should have structured opportunities to speak to an audience. Throughout the year, children build confidence in public performance through:

• Class assemblies, where pupils present learning to parents and the school
• Collective worship participation, including reading, presenting and leading
• Whole-school performances, such as the summer production
• Drama activities across the curriculum, using oral storytelling, role-play and spoken language techniques
• Opportunities in Shine Time, where pupils choose pathways such as drama, storytelling or performance projects

These experiences develop children’s confidence, fluency and presence when speaking to an audience.

How We Support All Learners

We ensure that every child - particularly those with early language gaps, SEND or EAL - can succeed in speaking and listening through:

• Adaptive teaching and targeted interventions
• Visual scaffolds and dual coding
• Pre-teaching of vocabulary
• Small-group opportunities for oral language development
• Trauma-informed, relational approaches that promote confidence and participation

Our inclusive systems, pastoral support and graduated approach help all pupils build strong communication skills.

Our Aim

Through a rich, structured and inclusive approach to oracy, we ensure that all children:

• Speak confidently and clearly
• Listen respectfully and attentively
• Use vocabulary accurately and ambitiously
• Express their ideas thoughtfully and creatively
• Engage in discussion, debate and reasoning
• Are prepared for secondary school and life beyond it