At William Ellis we are proud to have a dedicated oracy curriculum in Years 7 and 8.

Since 2016, we have taken a taken a systematic approach to developing a combination of whole-school, specialist, and targeted interventions to develop the communication skills of all our students from our diverse community.

In Years 7 and 8, students have an oracy lesson once a fortnight with their form tutor. In these lessons students work on structured group talk, developing strong arguments and listening sensitively to each other. The lessons also focus on current debates in the news and support learning across the curriculum. All students work towards opportunities for public speaking either in class or to a wider audience through inter form debate competitions.

Since 2015,  we have also employed a speech and language therapist for two days a week, providing bespoke staff training and supporting students with Education and Health Care Plans, as well as those with additional needs, including language disorders, autism and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

We also have a teacher who supports the oracy skills of all of our students who have English as an additional language. She works with a range of students including those who have just arrived in England and devises personalised plans to support their English language acquisition.