Speaking and Listening

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Intent

“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.” 

(Tony Robbins)

 

Our intention is for children to:

 

• express their opinions, articulate feelings and listen to and respond appropriately in a range of situations;
• participate with different groups of children to present ideas with confidence, valuing the views of others;
• speak audibly and confidently before an audience (for example when leading class and whole-school worship; when performing in school plays).

 

Implementation

Approaches to teaching and learning encourage pupils to voice their ideas in small group and class discussions, as we recognise that sharing and explaining concepts with peers enhances learning. Staff model the use of higher level vocabulary within their speech and expanding children’s vocabulary is a key focus from EYFS. Subject specific vocabulary is embedded across the curriculum, through teacher modelling, in context. Contextual learning helps children to understand new words and supports them in including them in their work.

Whole class reading sessions encourage pupils to explore unfamiliar vocabulary and expand their knowledge of words. Staff model correct grammar in speech and encourage children to reflect this in their use of spoken and written language. Children are given the chance to orally rehearse ideas for writing regularly.

Drama is used across the curriculum to explore and engage children in their learning. This gives children the chance to embed vocabulary in shared activities. All children have the opportunity to participate in leading worship in school and/or church for the rest of school, to take part in end of term celebration worship before parents; the opportunity to take part in church services at the weekend to celebrate and mark key times of the church year and individual pupils help to lead class worship regularly.

Children in our infant class perform a nativity play each Christmas. Children from Key Stage 2 rehearse and perform a production in the summer term. 

Every two years our KS2 children have the opportunity to perform at the Sing Together concert, which is held in King George's Hall in Blackburn. This is a collaborative event with schools all around Lancashire, produced and run by Blackburn Cathedral Choir. It's a fantastic event and the children never forget singing in front of around a 1000 parents, family and friends!

The photos below show our Infant and Key stage 2 productions and children taking a lead in worship services both in school and St Leonard the Less. 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

   Speaking & Listening Journey at Samlesbury

 

Impact

In a safe and encouraging environment, children develop into confident communicators who illuminate the goodness in each other by listening, speaking with kindness and empathy and explaining with clarity and confidence. Children recognise that speaking and listening can lie at the heart of conveying character, and that through speaking and listening effectively, misunderstandings can be addressed and relationships enhanced.