As part of Talbot Heath’s whole school focus on oracy, Mrs Maddison delivered an engaging and informative assembly to pupils in Years 2 through 6. With the upcoming ‘Talk Presentations’ on the horizon, the session aimed to equip pupils with the skills and confidence they need to speak clearly, purposefully and with impact.
Building on the recent Talk the Talk INSET training delivered to staff, pupils were introduced to the 3V’s of Effective Communication:
- Vocal – how we use our voice (tone, volume, pace)
- Visual – the importance of body language, eye contact and facial expressions
- Verbal – the words we choose and how we structure our message
These three key areas gave pupils a clear and memorable framework for preparing their own presentations. Mrs Maddison used real examples and interactive elements to help children understand how each component contributes to successful speaking.
A particular highlight of the assembly was a confident and articulate presentation by Upper 3 pupil, Rumaysa, who shared her own advice on “How to Deliver an Effective Presentation.” Drawing on her own experience, Rumaysa modelled the 3V’s brilliantly, giving younger pupils a tangible example of what excellent oracy looks and sounds like.
Following this, Miss White also gave a short presentation, modelling another approach to structuring and delivering a talk. Pupils were then invited to offer constructive feedback, identifying the vocal, visual and verbal elements that were especially effective in each presentation.
This not only helped develop their critical thinking and listening skills but also gave them a bank of ideas to draw from as they plan their own talks. Teachers will now be supporting pupils in class to build on this assembly, using the 3V’s to guide their practice and preparation.
The assembly was a brilliant step forward in our school’s oracy journey – encouraging all pupils to find their voice, speak with purpose and listen with intent. The Pre-Prep and Junior teachers are looking forward to seeing the creativity and confidence on display in the upcoming Talk Presentations. Thanks go to Sophie Maddison for delivering the assembly.
