Oracy, Arts and Society Award
The Oracy, Arts and Society Award is a unique Year 9 programme at Katherine Warington School that ensures every student continues to access a broad and balanced curriculum beyond their option choices. Underpinned by the nationally recognised four strands of oracy (Linguistic, Cognitive, Physical, Social & Emotional), the Award develops students’ ability to communicate with confidence, clarity and purpose.
Overview
Through a carousel of short, intensive rotations across Performing Arts, Languages, Art, Humanities and STEM, students explore cultural, creative and ethical themes while sharpening their skills in speaking, listening, questioning and presenting. By the end of the year, students will have developed as articulate learners and active citizens, capable of expressing their ideas and engaging meaningfully with others.
The Award also supports progression into enrichment pathways such as LAMDA Public Speaking, the Level 2 Project Qualification, and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) at Sixth Form.
Analyse & Explore
In the Award, students analyse and explore a wide range of topics through subject lenses such as:
- Cultural Conversations – exploring identity and tradition through language.
- Voice and Movement for Social Change – using theatre and performance to highlight contemporary issues.
- Debating the Planet – engaging with environmental and ethical dilemmas.
- Art Speaks – presenting personal creative work inspired by artistic themes.
- Digital Ethics: Tech Talk – investigating the impact of technology on society.
Students build subject knowledge, compare perspectives, and explore how different disciplines use communication as a tool to question, challenge and express ideas.
Create & Develop
The Award places emphasis on creation and preparation for presentation. Across each rotation, students apply subject knowledge to develop a mini project or artefact, rehearsing and refining their communication skills. This could take the form of:
- A bilingual presentation
- A formal debate
- A group performance or monologue
- A gallery-style art talk
- A TED-style talk on a digital issue
Through rehearsal, peer feedback and teacher guidance, students refine both their content and delivery, strengthening their confidence as independent communicators.
Share & Evaluate
At the end of each rotation, students present their work to peers, staff and sometimes a wider audience. Evaluation and reflection are embedded into every stage, with students receiving feedback against the KWS Oracy Mark Scheme (Fundamental, Core, Higher). They learn to evaluate their own and others’ performances, focusing on language, structure, delivery and impact. This cycle of presenting and reflecting builds resilience and prepares students for their final project in the summer term.
Year 9 Curriculum Structure
The Award runs across the whole of Year 9 through four-session rotations:
- Teach it – introduction to subject and concepts.
- Explore it – developing knowledge and practising oracy skills.
- Prepare it – rehearsal, refinement and peer feedback.
- Present it – final oracy presentation/assessment.
At the end of the year, students undertake a final project, choosing between a research presentation, debate, TED-style talk, or creative artefact with oral explanation.
Celebration and Recognition
- Students receive a KWS Oracy Grade:
- Fundamental (Pass)
- Core (Merit)
- Higher (Distinction)
- End-of-year celebration assembly.
- The top 10% of students (and their families) are invited to a special Awards Evening.
At Katherine Warington School we are committed to providing a broad and balanced education that prepares our students for the future. The Oracy, Arts and Society Award is a unique Year 9 programme that places communication at its heart, enabling every student to become a confident and articulate speaker, ready to thrive in education and beyond.
Throughout the year, students rotate through a series of enriching subjects including Performing Arts, Languages, Art, Humanities and STEM. Each subject area provides a four-session learning journey that introduces key ideas, develops understanding, and culminates in a short assessed presentation. These sessions are underpinned by the nationally recognised four strands of oracy:
- Linguistic – using vocabulary and language effectively
- Cognitive – structuring and clarifying ideas
- Physical – developing voice and body for communication
- Social & Emotional – building confidence and engaging with others
Students will explore topics such as:
- Voice and Movement for Social Change (Performing Arts)
- Cultural Conversations (Languages)
- Art Speaks (Art)
- Debating the Planet (Humanities)
- Digital Ethics: Tech Talk (STEM/Computing)
At the end of the year, students will complete a final project in the form of a research presentation, a debate, a TED-style talk, or a creative artefact with an accompanying explanation.
Each student will be awarded a KWS Oracy Grade (Fundamental, Core or Higher) in recognition of their progress and achievement, with outstanding work celebrated in a special awards evening for the top 10% of students.
This award equips students with essential skills for life, while also providing an excellent foundation for progression to qualifications such as LAMDA Public Speaking, the Level 2 Project Qualification, and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) at Sixth Form.
