Developing Communication and English

Developing Communication and English

The English and Communication curriculum strand delivered within our 3-curriculum pathway aims to provide pupils with: - Knowledge about: 

• Spoken language – learning to listen, understand, respond and interact effectively in a range of contexts. 
• Reading – learning to decode and understand symbolic representation, including objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, letters, words, sentences and texts.
• Writing – learning to convey meaning in a representational way through objects, photographs, pictures, symbols, letters, words, sentences and texts.

Skills for Life including: - 

• Developing functional communication skills using non-verbal, verbal and written strategies. 
• Making and expressing choices .
• Obtaining information .
• Developing and expressing creativity and imagination  developing a sense of self, for example identifying with a character in a story, interacting with others. 
• Developing the ability to access leisure skills for example reading a brochure, enjoying a magazine. 
• Developing the ability to use technology to gather and convey information. 

This curriculum strand is implemented through a variety of evidence-based approaches and strategies. These are planned for in line with pupil individual learning objectives, EHCP outcomes and small steps assessment tracking. Pupils may be working within several of the listed strategies and approaches in Literacy and Communication including:

• Makaton and Symbols- Enabling children to use expressive communication skills to ask for their wants and needs.
• Phonics – Little Wandle. 
• Speech and Language Therapy - Speech & Language therapy programmes are delivered in a variety of ways, including sessions with therapists and classroom-based staff.
• Reading – Small group and individual phonics sessions; story time and shared reading; individual and guided reading and other personalised interventions. 

Impact and Progress in English and Communication. 

• B Squared small steps tracker.
• Phonics assessments.
• ASDAN Awards.
• IEP and EHCP targets and outcomes being met. 
• Reading levels (age.)
• Phonics Assessments. 
• Termly Assessed writing.
• AQA Unit Awards Gained.
• Speech and Language targets being met.
• Increased vocabulary.