The Art of Oracy

Nurture your students’ oracy skills whilst exploring essential PSHE themes with Eastside’s creative workshops, led by our expert artist facilitators.

These curriculum-linked, creative workshops meet your PSHE requirements whilst strengthening the keys skills that underpin oracy, from confidence in speaking and body language, to listening & responding and teamwork.

All workshops are led by expert artist facilitators, who specialise in drama and/or spoken word poetry. 

KS1: Adventure to Communitopia

Step into Communitopia with this immersive, story-led workshop where pupils become brave explorers on a shared mission to restore the lost powers of speaking and listening!

Guided by an expert facilitator, children will use imagination and teamwork to unlock vital oracy skills: clear speech, active listening, and confident communication.

Along this magical journey, children will learn that these skills aren’t just communication tools, but the social glue of our communities; when we listen to each other and express ourselves clearly, everyone feels seen, safe and that their voices are valued.

Target Areas of Oracy:

  • Active listening and responding
  • Working with others
  • Confidence in speaking

 

45 mins per class

  • Literacy: Communication and Language
  • PSHE: Building Relationships and Understanding the World

Lower KS2: A Belonging Adventure

In this workshop, pupils will meet a mysterious character hidden in their classroom who needs their help to feel welcome. Together, they’ll use imagination, empathy, and creativity to support their new friend and discover how we all play a part in making others feel included.

Aligned with PSHE, Oracy, and Citizenship objectives, this workshop nurtures teamwork, active listening, empathy and expressive communication. Through drama and spoken word poetry pupils will not only understand what belonging means, but recognise the communities they’re part of and feel empowered to help others feel included, all while growing in confidence to speak, share, and perform.

Target Areas of Oracy:

  • Listening and responding
  • Body language
  • Working with others
  • Rhetorical techniques
  • Confidence in speaking

 

60 mins per class

PSHE:

  • Understanding groups that make up the community
  • Recognising that people can belong to different groups
  • Understanding what belonging means
  • Celebrating their communities and identities

Upper KS2: Roots & Rhythms

This creative workshop invites pupils to explore belonging and community through creative writing, drama, and spoken word poetry. Blending personal reflection with performance, children will explore the many groups they are part of, from families and schools to local clubs, faith groups, and communities, while developing confidence in speaking, listening, and self-expression.

Rooted in PSHE, Literacy, and Oracy, this workshop helps pupils articulate their sense of belonging, strengthen communication skills, and appreciate the richness of the communities they are part of.

Target Areas of Oracy:

  • Listening and responding
  • Body language
  • Working with others
  • Rhetorical techniques
  • Confidence in speaking 

 

60 mins per class

PSHE:

  • Understanding groups that make up the community
  • Recognising that people can belong to different groups
  • Understanding what belonging means
  • Celebrating their communities and identities

Upper KS2: Finding my Voice

This dynamic, talk-based workshop helps pupils explore how opinions, voices, and role models influence the choices we make. Through drama, reflection, and spoken word poetry, children will develop their oracy and critical thinking skills, learning to recognise the different factors that shape their ideas, actions, and sense of self.

By the end of the session, children will have transformed these insights into collaborative poems with multiple voices to express inner conflict, decision-making, and personal growth. Perfect for supporting PSHE, Literacy, and oracy development in a creative, memorable way.

Target Areas of Oracy:

  • Listening and responding
  • Body language
  • Working with others
  • Rhetorical techniques
  • Voice
  • Confidence in speaking 
  • Reasoning & Content

 

60 mins per class

PSHE: 

  • To understand what belonging and community mean.
  • To recognise that people belong to different groups.
  • To begin exploring how we are influenced by different opinions and perspectives.

KS3 - Roots & Rhythms

Through rhythm, rhyme, and reflection, students learn how words can express identity, celebrate diversity, and build connection, developing confidence as both speakers and listeners.

Led by a professional poet, this session will see every student create and perform an original piece of spoken word poetry that reflects their perspective on community and belonging. 

Target Areas of Oracy:

  • Listening and responding
  • Body language
  • Working with others
  • Rhetorical techniques
  • Confidence in speaking 
  • Reasoning & Content

 

90 mins per class

  • English
  • Citizenship
  • PSHE
    • Understanding what community means and recognising the different communities we belong to (school, local, cultural, global).

    • Exploring how communities work together and why it’s important to feel included.

    • Appreciating diversity: recognising and respecting similarities and differences between people.

    • Considering how individual actions and voices contribute to a shared community identity.

KS3 - Voices for Change

This empowering spoken word workshop helps students explore what it means to be an ally, someone who stands up for others, listens with empathy, and uses their voice for kindness and justice. 

Students will learn about the real-life example of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners and discuss the power and importance of standing up for others. Students will use drama or spoken word poetry to explore solidarity, courage and compassion.

By combining expressive language with reflection, this workshop strengthens oracy, emotional literacy, and social awareness, encouraging students to become thoughtful, confident, and compassionate allies in their school and beyond.

Target Areas of Oracy:

  • Listening and responding
  • Body language
  • Working with others
  • Rhetorical techniques
  • Confidence in speaking 
  • Reasoning & Content

 

90 mins per class

PSHE

  • Core Theme 2: Relationships
    • R6: Recognise the importance of respecting others, even when they are different from themselves.
      R10: Understand how to challenge prejudice and discrimination.
    • R13: Learn how to recognise and display empathy and care towards others.
      R16: Develop strategies to resolve disputes and stand up for fairness and kindness.

  • Core Theme 3: Living in the Wider World
    • L2: Recognise the positive impact individuals can have within their communities.
    • L6: Explore how shared values like respect, justice, and equality help communities function.

Designed for Primary, Secondary and SEND schools by Eastside’s expert creative practitioners to inject fun and creativity at the heart of school life.