At St Mary and All Saints CE Primary School, we recognise that speaking and listening allows pupils to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Speaking and listening activities also enable pupils to both acquire knowledge and build on what they already know. Having all the skills of language are essential to allowing pupils to participate fully as members of society. Pupils who learn to speak and listen, fluently and confidently are at an advantage in their future lives. 

We aim to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong understanding of the spoken word and to communicate and develop a love of communication through speaking and listening for a range of purposes for enjoyment.

Through teaching of speaking and listening and across the school curriculum we will:

• Meet the requirements of the national curriculum programmes of study for speaking and listening
• Provide numerous opportunities to listen and respond appropriately to others
• Provide a broad balanced curriculum with lots of opportunities for children to ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and knowledge
• Build and enhance the range of vocabulary which is used when speaking
• Equip pupils with the skills to become confident, audible and fluent speakers in a range of situations
• Develop children’s ability to effectively articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions
• Increase attention and active participation in collaborative conversations
• Equip pupils with an increasing command of Standard English
• Encourage and provide many opportunities for children to participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, improvisations and debates
• Encourage pupils to discuss, consider and evaluate different viewpoints