Swinemoor Primary School in Beverley, East Yorkshire started working with Chatta in September 2020. Deputy Headteacher Jane Sharp chose Chatta to help address whole school priorities linked to pupils’ oracy skills and vocabulary use. 

Following a staff training session and demonstrations of the Chatta approach in all classes, from EYFS to Year 6, teaching staff have taught with Chatta on a daily basis delivering short vocabulary-focused activities. Chatta has fitted seamlessly into the school’s literacy and wider curriculum teaching alongside a whole school emphasis on improving the range and application of pupils’ vocabulary.

Pupil progress data has been tracked and reviewed each term and has led to ‘staggering progress' according to Jane, which not only impacts on oracy and vocabulary skills but also has seen improvements in writing and understanding in all subjects. Progress and outcomes were assessed using age-related expectations linked to the charity ICAN’s ages and stages of children’s communication development presented in the document ‘Universally Speaking.’

Over 3 terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer) significant progress has been made by pupils in all year groups. 

In EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 the percentage of children achieving age-related expectations in oracy skills and vocabulary use increased from 11% to 63%.The percentage of boys increased from 17% to 53% and for girls the increase was from 6% to 70%. Pupils with EAL achieving/exceeding their age-related expected outcomes increased from 14% to 66% and for pupils with SEND the increase was from 14% to 66%. The percentage of pupils supported by the Pupil Premium Grant who achieved/exceeded age-related expectations increased from 6% to 58%.

The percentage of pupils who met age-appropriate standards for vocabulary use and oracy abilities in Years 3 and 4 rose from 6% to 64%. Boys' percentage rose from 8% to 58%, while girls' percentage rose from 3% to 69%. The percentage of students with SEND meeting or exceeding their age-related predicted outcomes climbed from 14% to 66%. The proportion of students receiving Pupil Premium Grant support who met or exceeded age-related targets rose from 0% to 54%.

In Year 5 and Year 6  the percentage of children achieving age-related expectations in oracy skills and vocabulary use increased from 21% to 63%.The percentage of boys increased from 28% to 73% and for girls the increase was from 15% to 66%. Pupils with EAL achieving/exceeding their age-related expected outcomes increased from 0% to 50% and for pupils with SEND the increase was from 0% to 17%. The percentage of pupils supported by the Pupil Premium Grant who achieved/exceeded age-related expectations increased from 12% to 64%.

Teaching staff at the school have found the simplicity and impact offered by Chatta ‘powerful’ and ‘transformative’ bringing quick, clear and sustained impact.

To see Chatta in action in classrooms at Swinemoor Primary School, book your place for a demonstration visit on Wednesday 22nd October.