What is a Voice21 Oracy school?

As a Voice21 Oracy School we are committed to transforming our school’s teaching, learning and ethos to ensure that all of our children benefit from a high-quality oracy education. We are part of a network of schools and educators across the UK, open to sharing their best practice and innovation in oracy education. We are working with the Voice21 charity and their oracy teaching and learning experts to identify and address specific needs and ambitions for oracy both in our classrooms and across the whole school.

Here at Leasowe Primary School our Oracy Aims are to help pupils develop their speaking and listening skills and become more confident, articulate speakers.

Now, more than ever, opportunities for children to express themselves, articulate their thoughts and feelings, and feel heard are key to children's successful transition back to school. We know that the ability to communicate through spoken language is one of the strongest predictors of future life chances when children are at school. We know that many children struggle with communication skills, left unaddressed, this will widen the gaps in children's learning. We believe that teaching oracy can change this, not only benefiting children’s spoken language skills, but also their confidence, capacity to learn and success beyond schoo

EYFS Oracy Framework

KS1 Oracy Framework

KS2 Oracy Framework

How do we use Picture News?

Every week, we share the 'Picture News' with children in a special weekly assembly, using the excellent online resources and images. The weekly big picture is also displayed prominently in school.

The discussion prompted by Picture News also underpins the development of oracy skills across school, through planned opportunities to develop confidence in speaking, debating and expressing opinions in both formal and informal contexts.

 

Picture News is instrumental in delivering much of the work we do in school on British Values. It supports our children in encountering and considering the key issues of the day in a planned and age-appropriate way. It also supports their developing understanding of Protected Characteristics and the UN Rights of the Child.

 

Take a look at some of the weekly big pictures and themes from Picture News in 2024-2025, below: