Aims of topic:

• Improve knowledge of communicating online and keeping safe
• Improve confidence in oral and written communication
• Increase experience to talk and write about
• Improve vocabulary

Reception

Reception Pupil Voice – The children in Reception class enjoyed a range of activities including “Singing nursery rhymes, Our Christmas show, Our Harvest song, Talking games, Show and tell, Sharing our photos from home”. 

Year 1

Year 1 Pupil Voice – The children in Year 1 think their communication skills have really improved.

“Yes! We have got better at listening to other people. We know that we need to not shout. We have got better at acting and using our voices to explain what is happening at the same time. We have learnt to recite poems without the paper in front of us and to use expression and actions!”

Year 2

Year 2 Pupil Voice – The children in Year 2 could give lots of examples when asked what communication is, including, “ It is learning to speak loud and clearly. We listen to each other. We can communicate with our friends. It’s how you hold your body when speaking and actions. It’s acting and speaking a poem. You need to take turns and not talk over each other.”

Year 3

Year 3 Pupil Voice – All the children in Year 3 think their communication in school has improved. The children could talk about lots of opportunities they’ve had for communication including, “No pens day Wednesday, talking homework, we learnt a poem and performed to Reception, Bhangra dancing, show and tell, writing a secret agent adventure story in Literacy, GRID player with Miss Austin, we learnt how to use hieroglyphics in History, we talk to each other every day (lots!), In PE OAA we solved lots of problems as a team, we learnt about Online Safety, we took part in Anti-Bullying week and odd socks day, and we enjoyed our PSHE lessons with Mrs Walters!”

Year 4

Year 4 Pupil Voice – There were lots of positive comments from the children in Year 4. The children think their communication at home has improved because, “Me and my brother have started speaking a lot more. I feel like I already communicated well when I was at home. I feel like I am better at reading out loud.”

Year 5

Year 5 Pupil Voice – The children in Year 5 had really good ideas for what communication is. “It is talking to other people, facial expressions and body language, sharing your opinions and emotions, listening to others and showing respect.”

Year 6

Year 6 Pupil Voice – The children in Year 6 could talk about lots of opportunities for communication including, “In RE we worked together in groups to research (for an argument). We also produced stained glass windows (Christianity) and geometric patterns (Islam) so we were expressing ourselves through art. In DT, we worked in teams to design, create and test our contraption. In Literacy we created an individual story map for Hamlet and a group one for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We’ve also had opportunities for drama including freeze frames. In PE we had to communicate when playing Scorpion Volleyball.”

Pupil voice with Mr Tabony (Chair of Governors and communications governor) and Mr Torr (Vice Chair of governors):

• After just a few minutes of starting the interview ALL the children displayed a willingness to engage in the process. The confidence shown by them in answering questions and the thoughtfulness they displayed in doing so was worthy of much older children. Moreover, they were also respectful of others when listening to, or answering, questions.
• The topic had made them think of what different forms communication might entail.
• It was felt by the children that the “Talking Homework” undertaken had helped communication at home. All children agreed that it was beneficial and had led to increased discussions at home. Interestingly, children also noted that initially parents could find it difficult to start or enter into discussion with them and had to learn and develop along with their offspring!
• The amount of time the children said they spent on electronic devices was less than we might have expected. They also said that parents monitored how long they spent on these devices and had set up them up to block inappropriate content.
• Children were aware of the rules to follow in order to stay safe online.
• The creation by our pupils of a set of rules to enable them to stay safe online and the requirement for every pupil to sign them is an interesting initiative.
• All the children felt that the topic had been helpful for them, especially in increasing their self-confidence.