Literacy for Learners with SEND

This workshop shares the significant expertise of two schools in the network in relation to supporting literacy in learners with SEND, including those who are pre-verbal.

The workshop will include:

• Insights about proven approaches
• Practical ideas which can be introduced straight away
• Opportunities to share ideas with colleagues from other schools.

Our speakers

Katie Leach and Katie Dimmock, Assistant Headteachers, The Brier School

The Brier School is a specialist provision supporting pupils with Moderate and Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD and SLD), with over 75% of pupils also presenting with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The school has achieved Outstanding status on five occasions, reflecting its strong commitment to inclusive, high-quality education.

This session will explore key strands of literacy within this context, focusing on approaches for both verbal and non-verbal learners. We will consider writing, speaking and listening/communication, and phonics, sharing practical strategies and ideas to support effective curriculum implementation for pupils with complex needs.

Lisa Leonard, Headteacher, The Chiltern School

The Chiltern School is an all-through special school for children and young people. We provide highly personalised, meaningful, and purposeful learning experiences for pupils with a wide range of profound, severe, and complex needs. Over 80% of our pupils also have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with many learning and communicating at the Engagement Model level.

Working collaboratively with our multidisciplinary therapeutic team, including speech and language therapists and sensory integration occupational therapists, we have written and deliver a bespoke curriculum. Our curriculum enables every pupil to develop communication, independence, and emotional regulation within a nurturing, inclusive, and aspirational environment.

This session will explore key strands of literacy focusing on approaches for both verbal and pre-verbal pupils. We will consider Early Language and Communication, Early Mark-Making and Pre-Writing: Pre-Phonics, sharing practical ideas that you can easily magpie into your own setting.