English and Communication

English and Communication Leads: Amber Nicholls (Engage), Lauren Chu (Explore) and Amanda Dunn (Discover)

Engage:

Pupils in the Engage Pathway have a large communication focus, which is embedded throughout our school day. We have specific Communication sessions based on our Speech and Language and EHCP Targets. This looks different in every class based on the individual pupils needs, but some Communication sessions may include Cookery, Turn Taking Games, Simon Says (to look at “doing words”), 1:1 Intensive Interaction and Attention Autism. As well as this, we learn early English skills through adult-led sensory stories, such as “Boom, Boom, Bang” which link directly to Topic for the half term. This links directly to Communication as we encourage symbol use and communication board to request and comment during our sensory story, whilst exploring a range of sensory story props to allow us to encounter the story. We have also begun to focus on some key words within our topics, such as astronaut and rocket, which we are regularly being exposed to throughout the topic and communication/English sessions.

The Engage Pathway also have specific Phonics sessions which are based on the pupils knowledge of phonics, such as exploring musical instruments or learning animal sounds as part of Phase 1, as well as accessing Time for Phonics. For the pupils who are on Phase 2, we follow the Rocket Phonics programme. Promoting the love of reading is also embedded within engage, through reading areas within the classroom, daily story-time and visits to our school library. In the Engage Pathway, we also have daily Clever Fingers sessions, which allow us to develop our fine motor skills through dough disco, mark making and early use and manipulation of tools such as pencils and scissors. We also embed communication, fine motor and early English within our child-led learning provision and outdoor learning, such as staff modelling key words and turn taking through play.

This will enable learners to progress within communication and become confident learners.

Explore:

Pupils within the Explore pathway follow a specialised scheme of work based around high‑quality stories and a systematic, synthetic phonics programme. Frequent and dedicated phonics lessons provide opportunities for pupils to engage in both individualised and group activities, with a strong focus on using phonics to blend for reading and segment for spelling. Early writing skills are encouraged through promoting independence, correct letter formation, and the introduction of early punctuation such as capital letters and full stops.

A love of reading is shared throughout the pathway through regular library visits, staff‑led story sessions and inviting reading areas. Pupils are supported to develop their understanding of texts by developing key skills such as inference, prediction, and asking and answering questions. Vocabulary development is embedded across the curriculum, with high quality communication experiences provided through stories, discussion, and planned opportunities to talk.

Communication is a core focus within the Explore pathway. Pupils are encouraged to communicate throughout all parts of the school day, including social times and structured activities. A range of tools are used to support expressive and receptive communication, including symbols, communication boards, and Colourful Semantics to help children build and sequence sentences more confidently.

Role play is used to enhance language development, social interaction, and imaginative thinking. Through structured and exploratory role‑play activities, pupils practise conversational skills and engage in early storytelling.

Fine motor skills are developed across the curriculum, with targeted activities integrated into English, phonics and wider learning. These activities support pupils to become confident mark‑makers and writers as they progress.

Discover:

Pupils on the Discover pathway are taught English in a more formalised way, following a curriculum which is predominantly derived from the Functional Skills aims with added National Curriculum aims where appropriate. This is to ensure that whilst pupils focus on the key skills to prepare them for post-16 education, employment or training, they are also exposed to a broad range of content to promote a love and enjoyment in English.

Teachers plan and deliver lessons focussing on skills involved in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening which are often linked to a text or theme and a SPAG session focussing on skills of spelling, punctuation and grammar. From Autumn 2, pupils are streamed based on ability for English which means the sessions are more tailored towards their needs and targets. There are also reading for pleasure lessons plans into the timetable to help promote a love of reading where students can pick a book of their choice to enjoy.

Pupils will participate in summative assessment throughout each year, and provided with opportunities for interventions to work on specific areas, such as reading, comprehension and phonics where required.