Oracy at Frome Vale Academy
We are a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence 2026
We are proud to have been recognised as a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence for our work in developing students’ oracy (speaking, listening and communication) skills.
Becoming a Voice 21 Centre of Excellence certifies and celebrates that we are leading the way in providing a high-quality oracy education for students and acting as a beacon of good practice for over 1200+ Voice 21 Oracy Schools nationwide.
In Voice 21 Oracy Schools, students learn the oracy skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
Why oracy matters?
Oracy, like reading, writing and arithmetic, is a foundational skill that ensures students thrive at school and in life. By teaching students to become effective communicators, we empower them to better understand themselves, each other and the world around them.
- Speaking, listening, and communication skills are critical foundations for reading and writing.
- On average, oral language approaches have a high impact on pupil outcomes of 6 months’ additional progress.
- Young people with good communication skills are less likely to have mental health difficulties.
- Young people with good communication skills are less likely to have mental health difficulties.
As a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence, we put oracy at the heart of our teaching and learning across all subject areas, enabling students to develop and deepen their knowledge and understanding through talk in the classroom.
We support our students to become articulate communicators who are able to present themselves confidently across a range of settings and contexts, from group discussions to formal presentations.
In Voice 21 Oracy Schools:
- 86% of students agree that it’s important to be a good speaker and listener
- 77% of teachers said that oracy had boosted attainment.
- 79% of teachers said that oracy is an essential part of teaching and learning.
Find out more about oracy and Voice 21 here
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