At Dinnington First School we aim for all of our pupils to become excellent communicators who appreciate the importance of community and value every voice. Every pupil should become a successful communicator who learns through high quality talk and develops an extensive vocabulary.

Intent

Our vision for our children as excellent communicators

The 2014 National Curriculum for MFL aims to ensure that all children: 

• ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and knowledge

• use relevant strategies to build their vocabulary

• give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes, including for expressing feelings

• consider and evaluate different viewpoints, attending to and building on the contributions of others

At Dinnington First School, oracy is central to teaching and learning across all subjects. Skills are embedded in every lesson and developed progressively to ensure consistency and depth. We believe every pupil has the potential to become a confident and effective communicator.

Strong communication enhances academic achievement, supports wellbeing, and helps children collaborate, listen respectfully, and engage positively with their others. By prioritising oracy, we reduce barriers to learning and address social inequalities. Our commitment is to ensure every child’s voice is heard and valued, preparing them with the social, emotional, and communication skills needed for success in school and beyond.

Implementation

Oracy at Dinnington First School

The content and principles of the oracy curriculum at Dinnington First School are taught throughout all subjects each week.  The key elements visible in our implementation are: 

• High expectations for all: Teachers will consistently reinforce the belief that every child has the potential to become an excellent communicator.
• Inclusive and engaging practice: Oracy skills will be embedded across the curriculum, ensuring that lessons are accessible, supportive, and engaging for all pupils, regardless of starting point.
• Real-life application: Learning will be contextualised within meaningful situations, enabling pupils to recognise the practical relevance of language skills beyond the classroom.
• Progression and depth: Teaching will build systematically on prior knowledge, consolidating understanding while extending vocabulary, rhetoric, and key language structures.
• Enjoyment and motivation: A positive learning environment will be fostered through interactive activities, debates, games, and varied communication opportunities that promote curiosity, confidence, and respect for diverse opinions.
• Core communication development: Pupils will be provided with frequent opportunities to practise speaking and listening, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive approach to developing lifelong communication skills.
• Learning through talk: Pupils will learn through exploratory talk to broaden their understanding within all subjects.

Impact

We know our children are achieving because… 

Pupils communication skills are systematically monitored and assessed to ensure consistent progress. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage, attainment in Communication and Language is above national expectations, providing a strong foundation for learning. Across the school, attainment in English continues to exceed national benchmarks. Termly assessments, alongside ongoing teacher evaluation, are used to track progress and inform next steps in learning.

High levels of engagement, enthusiasm, and positive pupil feedback reflect the strength of our provision. Our ambitious curriculum fosters curiosity, develops oracy for both school and life, and equips pupils with essential communication skills. Through this approach, pupils are empowered to connect meaningfully with others, develop confidence, and embrace future opportunities as effective communicators.