6 days Ago
Pupils with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) will benefit from new bases at Canford Health Infant and Junior School. The classrooms at The Educational Alliance of Canford Heath (TEACH Poole) run schools opened 35 spaces for children aged between four and 11 last week on February 25. BCP Council has funded the project and worked in partnership with TEACH leaders to project manage the delivery of the classrooms, to help meet the need for more special school places in BCP.
Children with SLCN placed at Canford Heath will now have access to a dedicated speech and language therapist to support their learning. They will also have opportunities to interact with children in mainstream education, in accordance with the government’s inclusion agenda for children with SEND. School leaders were joined by Cllr Richard Burton, BCP Council portfolio holder for children and young people, at a formal opening of the classrooms on Tuesday, March 4.
Cllr Burton said: "Every child deserves the best chances to learn in life and so this is a very welcome day. “It ensures our ambition to create sufficient special school places for children in BCP takes another step forward. “The base means that more children with SLCN can be educated in their communities with their friends, reducing the disruption to their lives.
"As a council, we are committed to ensuring we have sufficient schooling opportunities for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities." Kate Carter, chief executive officer at TEACH Poole, added: “This is more than just another opening of some bricks and mortar. Speech, language and communication are the bedrock of learning, social interaction and emotional well-being.
“When children struggle to communicate, it affects every aspect of their lives. “These bases will have a long lasting and crucial impact on the lives of many, many children, who will, with lots of hard work, therapy and support, move into adulthood being emotionally well, socially skilled and able to communicate who they are to the world.”.
