🌟 Towards Exceptional Oracy and Communication – Building Confident Communicators in Primary Education

Oracy is a vital foundation for learning, social development, and future success. It underpins pupils’ ability to think critically, express ideas clearly, and engage meaningfully with others. Research from Voice 21 and the EEF highlights that high-quality oracy and Communication provision improves outcomes in reading, writing, and overall attainment—particularly for disadvantaged pupils. The 2025 Ofsted framework recognises spoken language as a key component of Curriculum and Teaching, Inclusion, and Personal Development, making oracy a strategic priority for primary schools.

This CPD course supports teachers and leaders in embedding oracy across the curriculum, developing pupils’ communication skills, and creating a classroom culture where every voice is valued. Through practical strategies, curriculum planning, and pedagogical insight, participants will be equipped to raise standards and foster confident, articulate learners.

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🧭 INSET Outline

🎯 Curriculum and Teaching Oracy and Communication Skills

• Embed oracy into English, humanities, science, and across the wider curriculum.
• Use structured talk activities (e.g. talk partners, debates, presentations) to develop fluency and reasoning.
• Plan progression in spoken language from EYFS to Year 6, aligned with national curriculum expectations.

📈 Achievement and Progress

• Use formative assessment and pupil voice to track progress in communication skills.
• Support disadvantaged learners and those with SEND through inclusive oracy strategies.
• Develop vocabulary, sentence structure, and listening skills to support academic achievement.

🧠 Language, Thinking and Identity

• Promote metacognition and critical thinking through dialogic teaching.
• Use oracy to build confidence, self-expression, and emotional literacy.
• Celebrate linguistic diversity and support EAL learners through structured talk.

🛠️ Oracy and Communication Pedagogy and Practice

• Apply research-informed strategies such as explicit modelling, scaffolded discussion, and feedback on talk.
• Create classroom routines that encourage respectful dialogue and collaborative learning.
• Use drama, storytelling, and role-play to enrich spoken language development.

🔍 Inspection Readiness

• Understand how Ofsted evaluates oracy and communication under the new framework.
• Prepare evidence of curriculum intent, implementation, and impact in spoken language.
• Align oracy provision with whole-school priorities for inclusion, safeguarding, and personal development.

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👥 Who is this INSET for?

• Primary Teachers (EYFS to KS2)
• English and Literacy Leads
• Inclusion and SEND Coordinators
• Senior Leaders overseeing curriculum and personal development

enquiries@jmcinset.com

🗣️ Testimonial

“This CPD transformed how we approach spoken language in our school. The strategies were practical, inclusive, and aligned perfectly with Ofsted’s expectations. Our pupils are now more confident, articulate, and engaged in their learning.”
— Literacy Lead, Primary School