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10/07/25

Year 7 and 8 parents - we need uniform donations for our SHUSH (second hand uniform shop), especially Trousers, Skirts, Blouses, Shirts, Ties, and Blazers. Please visit our website for details: https://t.co/YTbbYuX3ID pic.twitter.com/vWu2xp0Zdt— Valley Park School () July 10, 2025

10/07/25

60 students attended a smaller Transition event to prepare them for the main induction. The took part in group activities to help them get to know each other, and were awarded certificates at the end of the day. We hope our new Year 7s have a wonderful Summer!#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/VSGtLJMfzX— Valley Park School () July 10, 2025

10/07/25

Year 8 students showcased their ambitious science projects in the hall, captivating the audience with innovative experiments & bold investigations. Their outstanding presentations reflected their passion and hard work, representing Science at Valley Park with excellence. pic.twitter.com/wxyEro4mgG— Valley Park School () July 10, 2025

09/07/25

There are still tickets for 13Jr, our musical production at the Hazlitt Theatre! Don't miss out on this end of year treat. https://t.co/fefcFXEaQh pic.twitter.com/mSDmNZLkvR— Valley Park School () July 9, 2025

09/07/25

Here's some book ideas for reading through the Summer holidays!#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/iKgRAVtwyl— Valley Park School () July 9, 2025

06/07/25

There are many reasons why a student might struggle with attendance at school. Valley Park has a dedicated team to help & support you. To speak to someone, contact us by phone or email & a member of the attendance team will get back to you. pic.twitter.com/MpOCCasUkd— Valley Park School () July 6, 2025

05/07/25

Ashura holds different meanings for Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunnis celebrate it as the day Moses parted the Red Sea & the salvation of the Israelites. For Shias, it is a day of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali's martyrdom, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. pic.twitter.com/3wtiRS2P3N— Valley Park School () July 5, 2025

04/07/25

House Points update... pic.twitter.com/xCVrxTMdeU— Valley Park School () July 4, 2025

04/07/25

We welcomed our new year 7 students for their transition day yesterday. Ms Flannery, their Head of Year, is really excited to get to know each and every one of them!#wearevalleyparktransition pic.twitter.com/7w7fSW2EzP— Valley Park School () July 4, 2025

01/07/25

Celebrating year 7 student Max, who has achieved the new rank of a Colour Sergeant. On Friday, Max attended the Headcorn aerodrome with his commandant and was invited to the MBC Mayor's lunch, which helped kick-start the Battle of Britain airshow. Well done Max! pic.twitter.com/7QojNXgj9s— Valley Park School () July 1, 2025

29/06/25

58% of Year 7-11 pupils who missed school at the start of the year went on to miss at least 10% of sessions across the whole academic year. Fischer Family Trust#everylessoncounts#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/7n6HO97RfS— Valley Park School () June 29, 2025

27/06/25

House points update... pic.twitter.com/0IwMxWJkas— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

27/06/25

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a prominent Roman Catholic devotion, symbolising Jesus' Divine love for humanity through His physical heart. It emphasises the unmitigated love, compassion, and long-suffering of the heart of Christ towards humanity. pic.twitter.com/gX6mUi5Bgw— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

27/06/25

Hannah and Jasmine, Valley Park students and Bearsted Football Club Under-15s players, were invited to watch the England Lionesses train at St George’s Park recently, as they prepare for the upcoming UEFA EURO tournament! 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/I3qKXhxrVg— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

27/06/25

On Tuesday 24 June Valley Park Shakespeare Society performed an extract from The Merchant of Venice as part of the RSC associate school project. Despite morning rain, the outdoor performance at Samphire Hoe was a success. pic.twitter.com/BhS7FeuO7R— Valley Park School () June 27, 2025

26/06/25

It's V in the Park on Saturday 28 June from Midday - don't miss this fabulous annual music event on the Valley Park Field.#wearevalleypark#wearevinthepark pic.twitter.com/2aIZIEmmwP— Valley Park School () June 26, 2025

22/06/25

There are many reasons why a student might struggle with attendance at school. Valley Park has a dedicated team to help & support you. To speak to someone, contact us by phone or email & a member of the attendance team will get back to you. pic.twitter.com/rXhg7UfxGN— Valley Park School () June 22, 2025

20/06/25

Our newest Sixth Formers started today – say hello to our 9 new chicks! Our Sixth Formers are learning about responsibility in Personal Development, and as part of this, are responsible for incubating, feeding, cleaning and watering our new arrivals! pic.twitter.com/DD70VvVM6f— Valley Park School () June 20, 2025

20/06/25

We have 3 amazing shows for you during this year's Arts Week: Dance Extravaganza, Romeo & Juliet, and 13 The Musical. If you want to buy tickets, please visit: https://t.co/IJpO06PN4T pic.twitter.com/sTiaIFVr0m— Valley Park School () June 20, 2025

20/06/25

The Feast of Corpus Christi, meaning "Body of Christ," is a Catholic celebration honouring Christ's presence in the Eucharist. It features processions with the Blessed Sacrament, showing public faith and devotion, with special prayers and hymns. pic.twitter.com/ADjMgCm067— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

19/06/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/5aeKoYoN0b— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

19/06/25

Litha, the Summer Solstice, is a pagan holiday celebrating the sun and fire on the year's longest day. Stonehenge and similar sites are aligned to showcase the sunrise on this day, attracting thousands of pagans. After the solstice, days shorten. pic.twitter.com/IcAooq55kk— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

19/06/25

Just returned from an incredible trip to the Marlowe Theatre with our Year 8s to see Pig Heart Boy — they were amazing! As their Head of Year I'm so proud of their impeccable behaviour and brilliant engagement. A real credit to our school pic.twitter.com/GaBFgfxSOB— Valley Park School () June 19, 2025

18/06/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/EbjFUZjlEb— Valley Park School () June 18, 2025

18/06/25

We're tremendously proud of Sapphire (Yr9) who played in the U14 ESFA Champions’ Cup Plate Final at Sixways Stadium. She scored a 20-yd screamer & took a penalty in the end of match shootout, which ended 2-2. Well done Sapphire!!! pic.twitter.com/47bUQfolJc— Valley Park School () June 18, 2025

Blog

Posted on: January 2nd 2023

The Importance of Language Development

Language Development is a crucial life-skill.

It is primarily concerned with communication, and how this can be processed and delivered effectively. There needs to be a full understanding of the etiquette that should be used in formal and informal situations, and this understanding is a key part of Language Development which assists with both academic and personal life.

There are three main areas of Language Development: Reading, Writing and Oracy (Speaking/Verbal). 

Due to a vast number of contributing factors such as the advancement of technological communication, Lockdown during the Covid era (limiting students’ educational experience), and the decline in reading books by younger generations, there are increasing gaps materialising in young peoples’ Language Development skills.

Without a solid understanding of language skills (in Reading, Writing and Oracy) children cannot access learning effectively, as this is the foundation to accessing information to learn, and supports a high-quality output.

Reading extensively and for pleasure can foster the development of stronger reading habits and increase Language Development skills at a greater rate than through formal Language Development Lessons. 

In a world which is hectic and dominated by technology, books allow us to travel to a different world. They allow us to connect with characters and emotions, which further develops empathy skills.

Reading strengthens imagination and promotes curiosity, helping to visualise key information and boosting memory cells. Through reading, the reader develops knowledge about new people, places, and events. This allows the reader to be exposed to new belief systems and different ideas, and this strengthens their ability to tolerate others by becoming more understanding about different perspectives.

Writing is the fuel that drives an important form of communication, and communication serves as a framework for society. In short, no matter what pathway someone chooses in life, they will need to be able to write effectively. Whether writing skills are needed to apply for a job, update social media, write emails, organise invoices, advertise a business, or study for a course, they will be an integral part of everyone's life.

Writing can be supported at home by:

  1. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) writing goals that inspires children, such as writing a story for 10 minutes every day.
  2. Make a writing schedule as a family
  3. Create a writing corner
  4. List ideas to write about, this can be in many forms, including a mind-map, story-boards, word clouds etc.
  5. Write a book or film review as a family
  6. Describe a picture in words
  7. Describe everyday objects
  8. Write a journal or diary
  9. Create an instruction manual
  10. Write a poem, song or play
  11. Write letters
  12. Write on tablets, whiteboards, different coloured/sized paper and use a range of pens.

The importance of developing Oracy is boundless.

It goes far beyond academic achievement and skills to help with employability. Oracy skills boost a whole range of essential qualities, including social, emotional and a range of interpersonal skills, such as self-confidence, empathy, resilience, and self-awareness. In terms of the other Language Development skills, Oracy supports a reader to make sense of what they are reading and promotes comprehension and inference techniques.

Ways to support Oracy at home:

  1. Read aloud to your child
  2. Record a video diary or Vlog
  3. Play word games
  4. Talk about their day
  5. Phone a friend or relative
  6. Go on a nature walk and describe what can be heard and seen
  7. Sign up for a club

The following graphic shows how teachers at Valley Park school are considering Language Development and how it can be promoted within lessons. This was introduced in September and will be re-evaluated throughout the year to ensure that it is always at the heart of what we do, on a day to day basis:

Language developmentBelow you will find the structure of “The Language Tree”. This shows each stage of development within Language and how each integral part support the other for a rounded experience and access to full knowledge. This diagram can be used to support Language Development at home and at school:

Language tree

KB