Speech & Language Centre

“Every learner is entitled to a curriculum which is rich, varied, challenging and inspiring and which enables every individual to fulfil his or her potential to the highest possible standard; so that all, for the benefit of all, are able to create a better world.”

Our Speech and Language Enhanced Provision:

We are very privileged to have an enhanced provision at Cherry Tree Academy. The Speech and Language Centre (SLC) is run by
Mrs Chaplin. We currently have 10 places for children with specific Speech, Language and Communication Needs.

The purpose of the SLC is to provide tailored and specialised support for children who have an EHCP for SLCN. The children can join our SLC at any stage of their school career, and we encourage parents to come and visit us to see first hand how the SLC functions alongside the mainstream setting.

Our children are based within a mainstream year group to encourage social integration; they then attend specific lessons in the SLC with Mrs Chaplin and other professionals.

Who We Are:

• Mrs Chaplin is our Speech and Language Lead Teacher. She is also an experienced class teacher
• The Specialist Teacher Team for Speech and Language come in to work with staff and children on a regular basis. A member of the Local Authority is a senior member of this team and supports us with the Assess, Plan, Do, Review process.
• We also work with Speech and Language Therapists from ACE - NHS Service and North Essex Speech & Language
• Across the school we have several SLC LSAs who work primarily with children from the enhanced provision within the classroom setting.

Admissions to the Speech and Language Centre:

For a child to start in the SLC they would have to meet some basic admissions criteria, these are as follows:

• have a current EHCP showing Speech and Language as the primary need
• be open to a Speech and Language Therapist (NHS or Private) e.g. receiving therapy from a qualified Speech and Language Therapist
• be primary age
• be in North East Essex or Essex/Suffolk boarder

Many of the children who join our provision have been referred by a Healthcare Professional (Speech and Language Therapist) or a member of the Specialist Teacher Team for SLCN.

When a pupil is requesting to join us within the SLC we would always encourage the parents and carers to come and visit us and meet with Mrs Chaplin. This visit could be accompanied by a member of current school staff, e.g. SENCO or a Specialist Teacher. We would also welcome invites to the child's Annual Review / Transfer Review, so that we can offer advice or support to ensure our provision is the correct placement for the child.

All admissions to the Speech and Language Centre would need to be made through the Annual Review or EHCP Application process via Statutory Assessment Service (Essex County Council).