Oracy

At West Kirby’s School and College, we believe every pupil deserves the skills and confidence to express themselves effectively in all areas of life. As a proud Voice 21 school, we are committed to transforming our students' learning and life chances through the power of talk.

We strive to create a culture where spoken communication is valued as highly as written work. To achieve this, 85% of our lessons will provide structured opportunities for students to practise and develop their speaking skills. We aim to support deeper learning, enhance critical thinking, and improve social interaction by embedding oracy into all subject areas.

Through the Voice 21 programme, our staff are trained to assess and develop pupils’ verbal communication, discussion skills, and confidence, ensuring every child can share ideas, listen actively, and collaborate effectively.

Our oracy-focused curriculum empowers our students to find their voices and prepare them for success in the classroom and beyond.

Meet the oracy team:

Intent

At West Kirby’s School and College, our vision is to equip every pupil with the oracy skills and confidence to communicate effectively in all areas of life. We recognise talk's transformative impact on academic achievement and life outcomes, particularly for our SEND learners. As a Voice 21 school, we aim to foster a culture where spoken communication is valued as much as written work, empowering pupils to express themselves, think critically, and interact socially.

Through our oracy programme, we aim to motivate staff to understand the profound “why” behind oracy – highlighting its role in improving self-esteem, collaboration, and future life chances. By embedding oracy into all lessons, we ensure that speaking skills are explicitly taught, practised, and celebrated across all subject areas.

Implementation

We foster a positive culture for talk by training staff to integrate 'talk tactics,' display and consistently use discussion guidelines, and embed progressive vocabulary into daily practice. These tools, alongside Voice 21 strategies, help pupils build confidence, actively listen, and collaborate effectively.

To support staff understanding, we provide ongoing professional development emphasising oracy's importance in fostering pupil success. Teachers and teaching assistants are encouraged to model compelling talk, set high expectations for verbal contributions, and develop pupils’ speaking skills. Structured opportunities for discussion, debate, and collaborative learning are embedded into lessons, ensuring all pupils regularly practice developing their oracy skills.

Impact

The development of oracy at West Kirby’s School and College will have a measurable and lasting impact on our pupils. Improved communication skills will enhance their ability to articulate ideas, engage in meaningful conversations, and build positive relationships. Academic outcomes will be strengthened as pupils use talk to deepen their understanding of concepts and develop critical thinking skills.

Beyond the classroom, oracy will prepare our pupils for life. They will leave us equipped to navigate social and professional situations confidently, advocate for themselves, and actively participate in their communities. For our staff, this focus on oracy will cultivate a collaborative and reflective teaching environment underpinned by a shared commitment to ensuring every child finds their voice and fulfils their potential.