Oracy at St Michael & St Martin

Developing confident speakers, thoughtful listeners and voices for the future.

At St Michael & St Martin Catholic Primary School, we recognise that effective communication is essential to learning and life. Through our focus on oracy, we help children express their ideas clearly, listen attentively and communicate with confidence.

Our Catholic mission—“Learning our faith, living our faith, loving our faith”—underpins this work. We encourage children to value every voice, consider different perspectives and speak with kindness and respect.

Learning through talk

Oracy is woven throughout our curriculum. Children develop their vocabulary, explain their thinking, ask questions and build on one another’s ideas. Opportunities to discuss learning, present their work and lead Gospel assemblies help pupils become increasingly articulate and confident.

We want every child to develop the confidence to contribute, share their knowledge and feel that their voice matters.

Optimum Oracy

Our half-termly Optimum Oracy competition gives children a purposeful opportunity to develop and celebrate their public speaking skills.

As part of their holiday home learning, pupils research a chosen theme and prepare a short presentation of approximately two to three minutes. Topics connect with classroom learning and the wider world, encouraging curiosity and independent research.

Previous themes have included:

• People who have changed the world.
• Amazing authors.
• Famous Britons.
• Inspirational women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Children are encouraged to rehearse at home, practising in front of a mirror or sharing their presentation with a family member. PowerPoint slides may support some tasks, but the emphasis is on the child’s spoken presentation.

Sharing and celebrating achievement

Following the holiday, children present to their classmates. Pupils use an oracy feedback sheet, adapted to their age and ability, to evaluate presentations and provide constructive feedback. This develops their listening skills and helps them recognise what makes communication effective.

Two pupils from each class are awarded a distinction and selected to represent their class in our Key Stage 1 & 2 Oracy finals. Presenting to a wider audience and a judging panel gives finalists an exciting opportunity to showcase their skills as we celebrate our Optimum Oracy Champions.

We value the preparation, effort and progress of every participant. Through these experiences, children learn to organise information, support their opinions with reasons and evidence, and engage an audience.

In Key stage 1 children are encouraged to respond in full sentences to any questions asked. We encourage and model  story retelling and meaningful responses during adult interactions. They are encouraged to participate in class assemblies and Nativities from Nursery - Year 2.

Skills for life

Our ambition extends beyond public speaking. We want children to leave St Michael & St Martin able to explain their ideas, listen with understanding and contribute positively to their communities. By nurturing oracy, we help pupils develop the confidence to participate, lead and use their voices for good.