Oracy at Frome Vale Academy
At Frome Vale Academy, we believe that confident and clear use of spoken language is an essential tool for every child. Our Oracy curriculum is designed to empower children to become articulate, thoughtful, and empathetic communicators who can express their needs, ideas, and emotions effectively across a range of contexts.
We aim for all children to see themselves as confident and capable orators. Through explicit and discrete teaching of oracy skills—including physical, linguistic, cognitive, and social-emotional elements—children will develop the ability to speak clearly, coherently, and with confidence. Weekly structured opportunities are provided for students to practice and refine their speaking and listening abilities, ensuring that these skills are embedded across our broad and balanced curriculum.
Oracy at Frome Vale Academy supports academic excellence by enhancing children’s ability to participate actively in classroom discussions, debates, and collaborative learning. It fosters critical thinking and reasoning, enabling children to form well-supported opinions, evaluate different perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Our curriculum also promotes active listening and empathy, helping children to value and consider the ideas of others. Teachers model high expectations for spoken language in all interactions, encouraging children to become confident communicators for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Ultimately, the Oracy curriculum aims to improve the level of spoken language for all children, helping them to become well-spoken, self-assured citizens. These skills will support them in both academic and social situations, enhancing their ability to problem-solve, ask insightful questions, and engage in productive conversations. By developing strong oracy skills, children are better equipped to realise their full potential and build self-agency for lifelong success.
Wider Oracy Strategies – Being a Frome Vale Citizen
Alongside our discrete Oracy curriculum and a range of tactics used in all learning, we use a selection of wider strategies to have a transformative impact on both the academic and personal development of pupils. By embedding oracy as a central strand of teaching and learning and our citizenship curriculum, we cultivate a culture where spoken language is valued as a powerful tool for thinking, learning, and social interaction. The strategies include:
- Democracy debates
- Pupil Voice groups
- FVA Jobs
- Events (Spelling Bee, Poetry Slam)
- Performance Strand (class assembly, Winter Show, Graduation Speech Making)
- My Great Work
- Assembly
- Pupil Conferencing
- FVA Manners
We are currently working with Voice 21 in hopes to become an Oracy Centre of Excellence in 2026!