Specialist Support

Occupational Therapy

Our Occupational Therapist (OT) works across the school with all staff to support learners’ academic learning, behaviour & independence skills. Specialist areas of provision include:

- Sensory Assessment

- Sensory Motor Programmes

- Sensory Strategies

- Functional Skills Assessment

- Handwriting Programmes

The functional, sensory and regulatory needs of learners are reviewed throughout the academic year and support plans & interventions are implemented where required.

Our Occupational Therapist is also a Sensory Integration Practitioner, a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Speech and Language Therapy

Communication is relevant to all aspects of the school day, our highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist collaborates with school staff to ensure that communication skills are embedded in the classroom within all subjects areas across the curriculum.  In addition to this, effective communication strategies are in place for learners at unstructured times e.g. lunchtime and playtime. This universal approach to the development of communication skills benefits all learners.

The School service works at:

Universal Level which covers staff training and on-going support for staff and learners.

Targeted Level which covers setting of targets for learners, assessment and observation, support for class team; staff training in specific techniques.

When more Specialist SaLT or OT intervention is felt to be appropriate, referrals are made to Wigan, Wrightington & Leigh Trust. For example, when a learner may need an additional and augmentative communication device or when support is requested through the annual review process at home.

The communication and sensory needs of all learners are assessed and reviewed regularly by the Therapy Team throughout the academic year.