At every INSET day, as a 3-18 school, we explore an aspect of the way we teach, to share best practice and explore new ways of encouraging learning.  

During INSET day a few weeks ago, Katherine Robinson, Deputy Head (Academic) in the Senior School, and Michael Jones - Senior Deputy Head (Academic) in the Prep School, led a session with teaching staff on oracy: the ability to express ideas clearly, think aloud, learn through discussion, and communicate learning effectively. 

Said Mrs Robinson: "During the session, we shared strategies for encouraging pupils of all ages to really think about the words they choose, to speak with clarity and confidence, and to listen to and collaborate with classmates as they share their ideas too. 

"In every subject, we ask pupils to think, understand, and show learning – and the route to that is often encouraging talking in class. The more effectively pupils can explain, justify, question or build on ideas, the richer the learning experience they will access. 
For some pupils, this comes more naturally than others. However, it is a learned skill, and it is something we teach deliberately at Solihull through both the Prep and Senior Schools." 

Following the session, Mr Jones introduced oracy to Prep School pupils. "Oracy is not a new idea," he noted. "The recent Oracy Commission report makes a compelling case for it to be treated as the fourth ‘R’, alongside reading, writing and arithmetic, as a core educational entitlement. 

"For younger pupils at Solihull, this means helping them to know how to choose the right words; speak audibly and with confidence; listen carefully; and help others to understand their thinking. During assembly, I modelled two contrasting ways of speaking: one littered with filler words (‘literally’, ‘basically’ and ‘like’ being top of the charts currently for overuse!) followed by a more succinct, measured and vocabulary-rich version of the same description. The takeaway for the pupils was that words matter, and too many unhelpful ones can get in the way of meaning. Quality over quantity, as we so often say!"

Added Mrs Robinson: "The benefit of strong oral language skills supports learning across subjects and literacy development too. It also helps to prepare pupils for their examination years. We know that examination boards for GCSE and A level are already discussing the potential introduction of subject topic interviews as part of formal Non-Examined Assessments across many subjects, similar to undertaking a ‘viva’ in a university setting. 

"Developing oracy skills not only supports classroom learning; these same skills are essential for life. In everything we do as a school, we are seeking to not only engage pupils in learning the information they need to progress in their lessons, but also use a range of tools to help them develop skills and capabilities that will enable them to thrive well beyond school and into adult life. The ability to communicate, collaborate, explain complex ideas, and think critically will be central to their success in the workplace."  

For pupils in both the Prep and Senior Schools at Solihull, the goal of the focus on oracy isn’t perfection in every encounter; it’s the instilling of repeatable routines that build every pupil’s ability to reason, explain, and communicate in ever-increasing levels of sophistication as they journey through Solihull School and beyond.