The role of senior leaders and teachers in a school of noisy classrooms

Oracy should be embedded and promoted at a whole-school level. There are many ways that senior leaders can create a culture of high quality talk from having an Oracy Lead Teacher to holding No Pen Days to including oracy on students' reports. At a classroom level, the teacher has the key role in establishing a culture of critical oracy. Their role is to model good oracy, set tasks effectively, manage behaviour and monitor the activity closely. After the activity, assessment is crucial, as is allowing for coaching and reflection – both by the pupils and the teacher. Some teachers have the responsibility for explicitly teaching oracy skills, whereas others will focus on the appropriate vocabulary and conventions for their discipline.