Strong language and communication skills form the cornerstone of reading success. Recognising that early oral language development is the most reliable predictor of later reading achievement, our schools prioritise talk, vocabulary, and listening from the very beginning of a child’s journey with us.

Across all phases, we create language-rich environments where vocabulary, listening, and talk are central. Our approach prioritises meaningful, high-quality interactions rich experiences such as shared reading, storytelling, and structured talk. Adults model precise, expressive language; pupils are encouraged to listen carefully, articulate ideas clearly, and explore new vocabulary through meaningful contexts. These skills not only underpin academic progress but also support self-regulation, socio-emotional growth, and reasoning. By embedding these strategies across a broad, that build vocabulary, understanding, and confidence. Through engaging curriculum, we ensure every child is equipped to thrive both in school and beyond.

For pupils with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), early identification is crucial, and targeted interventions, supported by speech and language specialists, ensure barriers are swiftly addressed.

Across all phases, vocabulary teaching is explicit, ambitious, and cumulative. Teachers use a tiered approach — teaching everyday language, academic words, and subject-specific terminology — ensuring pupils develop both breadth and precision in their word knowledge. Every classroom, therefore, becomes a place where talk fuels thought, and thought fuels reading.

All Legacy Learning Trust schools:

  • Create learning environments which foster inclusive communication
  • Provide a range of opportunities for structured talk
  • Model rich vocabulary and encourage pupils to use it in context
  • Support pupils to articulate ideas, explain thinking, and ask questions