At Silsden Primary School , we recognise that strong communication skills are fundamental to children’s learning, wellbeing and future success. We are committed to identifying and supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs at the earliest opportunity, ensuring every child can access the curriculum and reach their full potential.
We buy in specialist assessment and support from Away with Words
Children’s speech and language development is screened in Nursery so they are identified early and, from Reception age onwards, they can be referred to both NHS services and/or the Away with Words school service.
Parents can be involved in the referral process to Away with Words by sharing any information, concerns, or hopes for their child and by providing consent for assessment and intervention.
Once parent consent is in place, children will be assessed in school with their comfort and wellbeing as first priority. Depending on the assessment outcomes, children’s teachers and keyworkers may then receive written feedback and advice, a speech and language therapy plan with targets, modelling sessions for supporting TAs/keyworkers to know how to deliver the targets and strategies, or a period of direct intervention with the speech and language therapist in school.
Parents can request a phone call or in-school meeting with the speech and language therapist by speaking with their child’s class teacher in the first instance.