Brackenhill Primary School

Communication Policy

Aim

At Brackenhill Primary School we are committed to promote children’s communication and language skills, from their very first day in school. We have the accreditation for the ‘Communication Friendly School’ and all staff have been and will continue to be trained with ELKLAN strategies.

Introduction

ELKLAN is a speech and language therapy training organisation that writes, delivers and verifies learners on bespoke training courses which support the development of communication in children and young people. This communication policy will highlight the strategies we use across school to support our children, how children are referred and the training needs of our school.

Trained staff

SENDCO – Miss O’Hare, Teacher – Mrs Rashid, Support Staff – Mrs O’Connor, Miss Ali, Mrs Birkenshaw, Miss Newman

Strategies we are trained to use

  • Questioning – All staff have been trained in ‘blank levels’ (broken down questioning dependent on need of child).
  • Extending Vocabulary – Word maps, mind maps, word wise whizz, word storms, word connections, word choice, word bluff, vocabulary maps, multiple meaning trees and Venn diagrams.

  • Make it visual – visual timetables, now and next boards, colourful stories, story boards, talk for writing strategies, task plans.

The Referral Process

At Brackenhill we have a referral system where a child can be referred to the Speech and Language Therapist for any concerns raised by the class teacher as a result of ongoing assessment or observations. The initial concern will be raised with the SENDCO who will make observations of the child and refer them to the Speech and Language Therapist. Once the referral has been made the teachers will be able to put into place specific strategies. Brackenhill Primary now have a Speech and Language Therapist who is commissioned by school.

The class teachers will:-

  • Use the ELKLAN strategies consistently in their teaching;
  • Use appropriate questioning at the children’s level;
  • Ensure children are given the 10 second thinking time and wait for a response;
  • Ensure the learning environment has visual;
  • Put into place opportunities for children to speak out and express themselves within the classroom environment;
  • Collate evidence from assessments/observations of the children causing concern with their communication;
  • Record dialogues of speech;
  • Liaise with parents/carers of children causing concern;
  • Liaise and co-operate with the SENDCO;

The SENDCO will:-

  • Ensure all staff are trained to use the ELKLAN strategies;
  • Organise and deliver ELKLAN training for new staff alongside ELKLAN trained teacher;
  • Monitor the use of ELKLAN strategies through regular learning walks and lesson observations;
  • Have regular meetings with all staff working with children causing concern;
  • Arrange meetings with parents/carers and relevant staff;
  • Arrange meetings with Speech and Language Therapist;
  • Arrange for Speech and Language therapist to train staff/parents.
  • Liaise with outside professionals for strategies and support for children.

Support staff will:-

  • Co-operate with the class teacher;
  • Work with individual/small groups of children to promote language acquisition and extended vocabulary;
  • Implement ELKLAN strategies.

Our Speech and Language Therapist will:-

  • Be in charge of referrals.
  • Work with children.
  • Work closely with the SENDCO.
  • Liaise with staff.
  • Train staff
  • Write reports and send to parents.

Approved by

Headteacher ______Date______

Chair of Governors______Date.______