Building a communication friendly
school
5 step programme to success!
5 steps to success
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Step 1
Speech and Language Support for
Communication Friendly Schools
Training for 2 TA’s
– Elklan Speech and Language Support for 511s
– Accredited at level 3
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Step 1 Speech and Language
Support for 5-11s
What is
communication?
Interaction
Talking
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Listening
Understanding
4
Quantitative data from
implementation of Step 1
74%
Strategies considered effective or very effective by
TA’s
85%
Of TA’s now feel confident or extremely confident in
supporting children with SLCN
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Qualitative data
• This course has made me aware of how supremely
powerful language is to both involve and exclude people
and has shown me how fine alteration to syntax and
vocabulary can make what I want to teach accessible to
more children. I suppose that is what I have really
learned- that to teach children with SAL difficulties you
have to change your approach, but these changes
actually benefit all the children in your care by removing
many barriers to understanding and allowing the pupils
to concentrate on content. This is inclusion for all.
Susan Davies, Wigan
© Elklan Training Ltd
Qualitative data
‘The Elklan course has really made an impact on how I teach on
a daily basis. I now find myself naturally using these new
strategies and skills which is fantastic. I and others have already
noticed a definite improvement in one particular child’s
development using these new found skills which is very
rewarding. I also believe I have developed a better
understanding of why some children behave disruptively and
have poor social skills which may be due to the fact they have
limited language and communication skills. Having a better
knowledge of speech and language difficulties has helped me
spot other children who may potentially need extra help or
support with their language and communication skills.’
Cheryl Pettier, Southend. Teaching assistant.
© Elklan Training Ltd
Step 1 - outcomes
• Two highly trained TA’s who with their new
expertise can…..
– Support the teachers in the delivery of
Communication Counts (Step3)
– Be a resource to all staff in the school regarding
SLCN
– Raise the profile of SLCN in the school
– Support specific children
– Support all children's communication development
© Elklan Training Ltd
Step 2
Speech and Language Support for
Communication Friendly Schools
Training for 2 teachers
– SENCO
– Senior teacher interested in communication.
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Step 2 ITEMS – teacher training
• Interaction
Sept • Think about questions
Jan
Apr
• Extend vocabulary
• Make it visual
• Speak out!
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Quantitative data from implementation
of Step 2
%
91%
95%
91%
95%
© Elklan Training Ltd
Strategies considered effective
or very effective by SENCOs
Stop, wait and respond
Blank
Vocabulary
Visual strategies
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Qualitative data
‘The course has been well run, the knowledge and
enthusiasm of the course leader has improved my own
knowledge and confidence. Staff regularly come to me
for advice and I feel confident to support them.’
Gemma Hans, Salford’
‘The course was fantastic and I now feel confident in
supporting all staff in the different areas covered by
the course. The materials greatly supported this.’
Rhiann Glover Bolton
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Qualitative data
‘I have found the course extremely useful and thought
provoking. I especially benefited from the opportunity to
engage with others in professional dialogue, and to share
in presentations from different schools and therefore
different perspectives.
Also useful was the time spent practising the strategies
with colleagues. With the support of the course leaders and
peers, it was very beneficial to practise the skills ourselves.
I struggle to add any suggestions to make the course more
effective.
Lesley Cooper, Bolton
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Step 2 - outcomes
• Two highly trained teachers in SLCN who
have gained a level 4 qualification
• All the resources and support needed to
deliver Communication Counts (Step 3)
• Teachers who have been empowered to
raise the profile of SLCN and drive change
in practice in the environment
© Elklan Training Ltd
Step 3
Speech and Language Support for
Communication Friendly Schools
Training for the WHOLE school
–
–
–
–
–
Teachers
TA’s
Admin staff
Dinner supervisors
Everyone!
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Step 3 Communication Counts
1
• SENCO + senior teacher
• 3 x 1 hour Communication Counts training
2
• All staff attend
• All staff embed strategies
3
• SENCO + senior teacher evaluate impact
• Record and report impact data
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Step 3 Condensed information
cascaded to whole school covers….
Oct
Feb
• Interaction
• Think about questions
• Extend vocabulary
• Make it visual
May • Speak out!
© Elklan Training Ltd
Qualitative data
‘The effect of the training has been evident
across the whole school, from the head's
office to the playground & dinner hall. It is
easier to raise certain issues when staff
need extra support in dealing with individual
children.’
P. Patton, Bristol, Teacher
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Step 3 - outcomes
• A whole school trained to understand how to
support and develop ALL children's
communication but especially those with SLCN
• Practical resources for the school to use to
maintain change
• A change in culture – it’s our responsibility to
support children with SLCN not someone else’s!
• The skills to help!
© Elklan Training Ltd
Step 4 – The audit
• Staff are supported by the tutors to
complete an audit of how they as a school
have implemented the new strategies and
embedded practice
• Schools in the project audit each other
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Step 5
• Certificates and logo received
• Certification is valid for 3 years
• Communication Friendly Schools status
can be renewed on submission of a further
audit which is evaluated by a local Elklan
tutor.
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Outcomes to date…..
• 78 schools across the UK have a resource of
trained staff both at teaching assistant and teacher
level in SLCN
• 141 teaching assistants have achieved a level 3
qualification, 2 have achieved at level 2
• 156 SENCO’s/teachers have achieved
accreditation at level 4
• 1154 education and ancillary staff have received
information via Elklan’s ‘Communication Counts’
course.
© Elklan Training Ltd
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Outcomes to date….
23 schools have achieved the coveted
Elklan Communication Friendly Schools
status!
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Find out more……
• Contact us to register your interest
• www.elklan.co.uk
© Elklan Training Ltd