Speech & Language Provision
Welcome to Cherry Tree Academy's Speech and Language Enhanced Provision
Our Speech and Language Enhanced Provision:
We are privileged to have 10 spaces available for children who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHC) for Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SCLN). Our Enhanced Provision is proud to provide tailored and specialised support from Elklan trained staff members both within the mainstream classroom and during one to one interventions in our dedicated Speech and Language room.


What do we offer?
- Mrs Donnelly is our Speech and Language Lead Teacher and oversees the Enhanced Provision, ensuring that all children have clear and relevant targets that are worked on daily with an experienced Elklan trained LSA.
- All of the Enhanced Provision children spend two 30 minutes per week with Mrs Donnelly, working on their SALT targets and receiving some pre-teaching for the lessons they will complete with their class teacher and LSA in the mainstream classroom.
- The children will have a SALT independent workbook that they will work on at different points during the day. These workbooks will provide an oppurtunity for the children to develop their understanding of the key texts they are studying in English, Mathematics and key vocabulary. There will also be Speech and Language based activities within these books.
- Hannah Goudge an NHS SALT from Provide visits the school every week to work with the Enhanced Provision children on a one to one basis.
Joining the Enhanced Provision:
For a child to start in the Enhanced Provision they would have to meet some basic admissions criteria:
- have a current EHCP showing Speech and Language as the primary need
- be open to working with a Speech and Language Therapist weekly
- be in North East Essex or Essex/Suffolk boarder
Many of the children who join our provision have been referred by a Healthcare Professional or a member of the Specialist Teacher Team for SLCN; however if you feel like your child meets the above criteria and would benefit from a place with us please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do all that we can to help.
We welcome visits for perspective parents and children and invite you to come and take a look around our happy and welcoming school. As part of the tour you will have a chance to meet Mrs Donnelly and Miss Young (Our SENCO) to talk about the needs of your child and to ask any questions you may have.
If you decide that Cherry Tree is the school for you 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 our Speech and Language provision would need to be made through the Annual Review or EHCP Application process via Statutory Assessment Service (Essex County Council).
Speech and Language outside of the Provision
At Cherry Tree we know how important Speech and Language is to all children and understand the importance of getting it right early. That is why we have partnered with North Essex Speech and Language Therapy Service to assess children's speech and language skills as they enter EYFS. This screening allows to find any speech or language delays and begin early interventions. All children that are assessed as having a Speech and Language need are given targets to work on 3 x week with their class teacher or LSA, they also spend time working with Claire Horwood, our speech and language therapist or Miss Seager, a trainee Speech a Language Therapist fortnightly.
We also take part in the Government acclaimed NELI Programme to get the children off to the best start.