Speech, Language & Communication

Speech, Language and Communication (SLC)

Being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life. Almost everything we do involves communication; everyday tasks such as learning at school, asking for food and drink, sorting out problems, making friends and having fun. These all rely on our ability to communicate with each other. At Hunters Hall Primary School we firmly believe that speech, language and communication is the foundation of all learning. Our school has recently been awarded The Balanced System accreditation to help ensure all our children have the best possible opportunities to develop their speech, language and communication. We continually seek to improve our provision and we are now working towards becoming a centre of Speech, Language and Communication Excellence. We regularly arrange staff INSET training sessions to ensure we keep abreast of current research and practice.

If we have any significant concerns about your child’s speech language and communication we will meet with you for discussion, referring them for a formal speech and language assessment. All children with an identified speech and language need will be given a written programme from our allocated Speech and Language Therapist. Children with these programmes are allocated regular 1:1 sessions with a trained school Learning Support Assistant to practise the skills identified on their speech and language programme, as well as parents ensuring regular practice at home.

We are also able to offer small group interventions to support children with language delay. These are for children who need a shorter term intervention to accelerate their learning and development.

Julie Hobday, one of our Assistant Head Teachers has a Postgraduate Diploma in the Assessment of Specific Learning Difficulties. (Dyslexia) She is able to identify children with dyslexia and support staff to ensure children’s needs are met in class. Julie also delivers dyslexia training for schools in Barking and Dagenham as part of our Outreach Service.

If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher. We are here to help.

Support for Parents

We run regular parent meetings offering support and advice for parents on Speech, Language and Communication. If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher.

Useful Speech, Language and Communication websites for parents: