Communication
Two Bridges Academy is committed to ensuring all children and young people with complex communication needs have access to and use a Total Communication System that is functional and practical for their individual needs, within school, home, and community environments.
At Two Bridges Academy we believe that communication is the foundation of all learning. Communication is supported across the school using Makaton, symbols, objects of reference and communication boards.
The Communication & Interaction aspect of the curriculum focuses on:
|
Expression |
Understanding |
Attention |
Total communication includes many communication strategies used consistently around the pupil in all contexts. Children and young people with speech and language difficulties or more complex special needs may require support to initiate and take part in communication and interaction. We will advise parent/carers on strategies to use at home. It is important to make use of all methods of communication available to the children and young people. These include:
| Gesture | Makaton | Vocalisations |
| Pointing | Objects of Reference | Speech and Spoken Language |
| Body Language | Photographs | Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs) |
| Eye Contact | Picture Symbols (Widgit) | Intensive/Musical Interaction |
| Facial Expression | Communication Boards | Writing |
Opportunities to learn, develop, consolidate and generalise language skills occur at all points in the school day. Less structured times such as lunchtimes, playtimes and outdoor breaks, as well as outdoor learning sessions, inclusion sessions and assemblies are used to motivate and encourage learners to use their language skills in a range of contexts.
A Trust Speech and Language Therapist (SLTh) supports the assessment and monitoring of individual speech and language programmes usually delivered by trained classroom staff across the school day and may also be supported by our Trust Speech and Language Therapist Assistant.