Therapies

Our Occupational Therapy service aims to support students to participate fully in their educational experience by addressing barriers to learning. Strategies are embedded into the school day and carried out by the class team. When needed, learners can be referred for specialist support by the class teacher.

Universal support

Our team provides ongoing training for teachers and support staff to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support students effectively. We create an inclusive environment that promotes the well-being of all students. This includes:

• Whole-school training on sensory processing, adaptive techniques, and strategies to aid regulation

• Classroom adaptations and sensory-friendly space

• General strategies to enhance participation in school 

   

Targeted Support

For individuals or groups needing additional assistance, we offer:

• tailored training for class-based staff and parents

• advice and training on regulation breaks and spaces

• specific equipment to aid sensory and emotional regulation

• support and consultation on interventions to help build fine and gross motor skills, address oral motor difficulties or to improve self-care skills.

   

Specialist Support

We work on a referral basis for individual learners who require a specialist assessment as their sensory differences impact significantly on their ability to engage in learning, self-care and play at school. Referrals are received from teachers or senior leads in school. Learners receive observation and assessment (where appropriate), and individualised recommendations are provided.

Our Speech and Language Therapy service focuses on helping students develop effective communication skills, aiming to ensure that all learners have a voice. We work at a universal, targeted and specialist level to ensure that needs are met across the school.

Universal Support

We implement school-wide initiatives to create a communication-friendly environment. Support is embedded within the school environment and delivered through staff training, whole-class strategies, and environmental modifications.

This includes:

• Whole-school training on communication strategies

• Visual supports and alternative communication aids in all classrooms and around the school

• Collaboration with teachers to integrate language-rich activities into the curriculum

• Parent workshops on communication development

Targeted Support

For learners with specific speech and language needs, we provide targeted interventions which can be carried out by the class teacher following training from a Speech and Language Therapist. These include:

• Group or 1:1 intervention that can be delivered in class by teaching staff (e.g., Colourful Semantics, Shape Coding, Blanks levels, language focused play, Intensive Interaction)

• Training provided to teachers and teaching assistants on implementing communication strategies

• Group-based therapy plans stored in a central location for teachers to implement and integrate into their teaching

   

Specialist support

Learners who require specialist input can be referred to the Speech and Language team for intensive, individualised support. Learners will receive assessment to identify their communication needs, followed by a report with individualised recommendations. They may be supported directly or indirectly by the Speech and Language Therapist for an episode of care. Support at this level may include:

• Implementation of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)

• Speech sound interventions

• Individualised therapy plans

• Specialist staff training (specific to the learner)

By integrating these services into our school environment, we ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed. Our commitment to high-quality therapy provision, combined with our focus on staff training, enables us to create an inclusive and supportive educational experience for every child.

SALT Service policy