Speech & Language Therapy

The school has thirteen fully qualified Speech and Language Therapists. In Key Stages 1 and 2 Communication Therapy is delivered over 3 to 5 sessions a week in 45 minute lessons. The programme includes: developing pupils’ understanding and use of language skills, developing pragmatic language abilities, developing functional language skills and supporting the pupil’s ability to access the National Curriculum. There is also a considerable focus on social skills, enabling the pupils to develop their friendships and to learn to interact appropriately with each other.

In addition, there is a Speech & Language therapist assigned to each class group, who is able to provide advice and assistance to teaching staff as and when required. This key therapist is also able to provide therapy, advice and assistance to pupils on a needs-led basis. Speech and Language therapists and teachers plan together to provide a curriculum whereby the academic demands are supported and reinforced by the Speech and Language therapy team. This helps generalise these skills into different contexts and reinforce key vocabulary. Many of our staff across the school have an additional qualification in specific learning difficulties (dyslexia).

In Key Stages 3 and 4, Communication Therapy is delivered twice a week in 45 minute sessions. The programme delivered includes: developing pupils understanding and use of language skills, developing pragmatic language abilities, developing functional language skills and supporting the pupil’s ability to access the National Curriculum. The comprehensive Self Awareness Programme aims to support the pupils in identifying their strengths and difficulties and how this will impact upon their futures. This is delivered in a group, on an individual basis and with parents. Key Stage 4 pupils also have 3 sessions per week of support time. This is time allocated to the pupils to support their curriculum work. Teachers identify key aspects of their subject which require support to the Speech and Language Department, such as new concepts and new vocabulary. This is then delivered in the support time by a Speech and Language therapist.

As in the Lower School, there is a Speech & Language therapist assigned to each class group, who is able to provide advice and assistance to teaching staff as and when required. In addition, this key therapist is able to provide therapy, advice and assistance to pupils on a needs-led basis. Speech and Language therapists and teachers plan together to provide a curriculum whereby the academic demands are supported and reinforced by the Speech and Language therapy team and the Life Skills Programme is delivered throughout the curriculum. This helps generalise these skills into different contexts and reinforce key vocabulary.

In addition to the group provision, pupils throughout the school may receive individual or paired speech and language therapy according to their needs.