Reading & Communication

Reading and Communication: 
 
Reading and Communication is critically important for all of our students. All pathways access whole school reading and communication sessions alongside a curriculum focus on English and/or Communication and Literacy. 
 
All students are assessed by the Speech and Language Therapists on site, as well as our Reading Intervention Team, who screen each child for their readiness for reading. We use a wide range of interventions to develop reading and writing phonics, whole words and texts. For students who are deemed not to be emergent readers, a huge focus is placed on the use of objects of reference, PECS, signing and symbols to promote their communication. 
 
See Reading and Communication Info-graph   
 
Reading for Pleasure at Elms Bank 

We believe that it is vital our students have time to read a rich range of books and poetry, so that they can foster a life-long love of reading. 
Therefore, students in each pathway are supported to access texts selected in line with their respective levels of ability. Where possible, these texts also reflect their interests, whilst essentially taking account of age appropriation.