Speech and Language
At Aspire Academy, our fully trained and qualified Speech and Language Therapists (SALTs) work alongside our skilled Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SALSAs) to provide high quality speech, language and communication support. Our Speech and Language Team strive to identify and remove communication barriers, by assessing pupil’s strengths and needs, and offering practical strategies that help every child better access the curriculum and wider community.‑quality communication and language support
Any pupil can be referred for a Speech and Language assessment at any time by a staff member or parent, if concerns arise. We ask that you complete a consent form for therapies when your child enrols at the school.
If your child is receiving Speech and Language support, their progress is usually shared with you through the Annual Review process. Please contact the SENCo if you would like an update on your child’s progress before then.
Each pupil on the Speech and Language caseload will be provided with an intervention package suitable for their identified communication needs. The SALTs see some students directly for sessions, other students are seen by the SALSAs who carry out programmes designed by the SALTs.
The programmes address different speech, language and communication skills. These are split into levels and explained in detail below. We also offer bespoke programmes where this is indicated.
Speech-_and_-Language-Interventions (ID 1147)
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Language For Thinking
Language For Thinking
This is designed to support pupils’ narrative and comprehension ability, by developing prediction, inference,reasoningand problem-solving skills.
Activities involve describing a scenario, justifying a point of view using evidence, categorising items, recalling and retelling stories.
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Language for Behaviour & Emotions
Language for Behaviour & Emotions
This is designed to support pupils to develop their emotional literacy and social communication skills.
Activities involve social thinking and considering others’ perspectives, navigating ‘people problems’, making generalisations from text and image prompts, using more complex vocabulary.
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Vocabulary
Vocabulary
This involves teaching vocabulary sets such as topic words, using word maps, and finding out what words mean i.e. using a dictionary or search engine.
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Sentences
Sentences
This is designed to develop pupils’ understanding and use of sentence structures, using Colourful Semantics.
Activities involve using a colour-coded system to create sentences using accurate grammar and relevant vocabulary
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Narrative
Narrative
This is designed to develop pupils’ story-telling skills.
Activities involve sequencing and formulating stories, using accurate grammar and relevant vocabulary.
Pupils are encouraged to use conjunctions and synonyms, and to identify characters’ emotions.
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Conversation Skills
Conversation Skills
This is delivered in small groups and is designed to develop pupils’ social communication skills and promote positive peer relationships.
Activities involve participating in a discussion on a chosen topic and developing conversation skills including turn-taking, asking relevant questions, answering accurately, making statements and active listening skills.
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Cooperative Building Groups
Cooperative Building Groups
This is delivered 1-1 or in small groups. It is designed to support pupils as an introduction to building therapies, such as LEGO® Therapy.
Activities involve building small models, with a focus on developing pupils’ ability to follow verbal instructions accurately, ask for help, to give clear instructions and offer praise to peers.
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Speech Sound Support
Speech Sound Support
This is provided to pupils identified as having speech sound delays or disorders, which impact their ability to be understood by staff and peers.
Activities typically involve practicing the individual sounds the pupil demonstrates difficulty with and promoting speech confidence, whilst playing fun games.
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Early Debate Skills
Early Debate Skills
This is delivered in small groups and is designed to develop pupils’ communication confidence, active listening skills and ability to accept another person’s point of view.
Activities involve pupils working together to create group rules which ensure everyone can participate fairly.
Pupils are supported to take turns to express and listen to each other’s opinions during a debate on a chosen topic.