Speech and Language at Thorntree
The importance of Speech and Language is recognised and included in all aspects of teaching at Thorntree School, both directly thorough targeted interventions and indirectly through focussed planning of lessons and teacher awareness.
Relevant, current and effective speech and language support is delivered by teaching staff and Speech and Language Therapists who work closely with the school. Please click on the links below to find out more about speech and language difficulties, therapies and interventions and suggestions of how to support your child at home.
Thorntree is a very communication-friendly school. We were awarded the Greenwich Communication Commitment Level 1 in November 2017 and are close to being awarded Level 2. Many members of staff have completed the OLT International Online Teaching Assistant Programme, specialising in developing support staff understanding of speech and language practices in school, including early identification, effective strategies and appropriate interventions. As a result of completing this training, we are featured in the termly Oxleas newsletter ‘A Pinch of SALT’ (Summer 2018) as a speech and language friendly school.
We enjoy a very positive, collaborative relationship with the NHS Speech and Language Service and the Speech and Language Therapists who work alongside us in the school.
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
We would like to let everyone know about the Speech and Language Therapy Service that is currently being provided at Thorntree Primary School.
What support can we offer?
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Levels of support |
Examples of support |
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Universal Support that will benefit the whole school or the whole class |
Whole school training, Communication Friendly Class Audits, Attend Parent Coffee Mornings etc. Please let us know your training requests. |
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Targeted Support that is targeted to specific groups or staff. Designated to meet the communication needs of pupils. |
Specific staff training, modelling specific approaches, “good practice” advice around specific areas (e.g. Autistic Spectrum Disorder, language delay, stammering etc.), setting up groups (e.g. Lego Therapy©, Active Listening etc.), observations and advice etc. |
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Specialist Support for identified pupils whose needs cannot be met by universal and targeted support. |
Assessment, diagnosis, devising a treatment programme, liaising with school staff/parents, referrals onwards, block of specialist intervention etc. |
For more information about the Speech and Language Therapy that is provided at Thorntree Primary School or to talk to one of the therapists, please contact Ms Sheppey (School SENCo).
How can you help you’re your child's speech and language development
Speech and Language therapy supports children with a range of speech and language difficulties. This includes when children experience difficulties with their receptive language, expressive language, speech sounds and social communication and interaction.
The Communication tree
This explains the process involved when children are developing their speech and language abilities. In the form of a tree, it gives a clearer picture of the steps involved. Click on the tree below for more in-depth information.
The Communication Tree
Helping children to communicate
Here are some ideas and activities that you can use at home to help boost your child's speech and language development:
Receptive language
Receptive language means the ability to understand information. It involves understanding the words, sentences and meaning of what others say or what is read. For more information please click on the speech bubbles below:
Expressive language
Expressive language means being able to put thoughts into words and sentences, in a way that makes sense and is grammatically accurate. For more information please click on the speech bubbles below:
Social communication and interaction
Social language refers to how we understand and respond to different situations and how we communicate and interact with others. A child with difficulties in this area may find it harder to:
- Communicate with others
- Establish and maintain friendships
- Develop self-esteem
- Modify the behaviour of themselves and others in different situations
For more information please click on the speech bubble below:
Useful information
For more information please click on the speech bubbles below:
