Speech and Language Therapy

Speech & Language Therapy at Knowsley Central

  • The school provides a ‘whole school approach’ in supporting and promoting pupil’s language and communication skills. In 2019 the school achieved accreditation as a ‘Communication Friendly School’.
  • Our school is working in partnership with Bridge Speech Therapy to provide specialist speech and language therapy input directly within the school.
  • Sophie Crilly is the current Speech & Language Therapist working within school. Sophie is in school 3 days per week (Monday, Thursday, and Friday).

Three Tiers of SALT Provision

  • The primary role of the SALT in school is to upskill staff via regular training and support teaching staff in classes to implement a range of strategies that promote and develop pupil’s communication. The majority of strategies teachers implement come under our Universal SALT offer.
  • Provision of Speech and Language Therapy services within school are described in terms of:
  • Universal: whole school support – good for all. These pupils are not on the SALT caseload, however they have access to a range of strategies implemented within the class and everyday learning environment.  Examples of Universal Support include:
  • Attention Autism 
  • AAC systems 
  • Intensive Interaction
  • Blank Levels
  • Colourful Semantics
  • Lego Therapy
  • Timetables
  • Objects of Reference
  • Targeted: some children will require more support to meet their communication needs. They will access an individual programme provided by the SALT and delivered by teaching staff.  The SALT will usually review and update the targets and liasing regularly with teaching staff.
  • Specialistessential for only a few children who require the therapist’s expertise to complete detailed diagnostic assessments and/or specialist therapy support (e.g. severe speech sound disorder, implementing a high-tech AAC communication device).
  • The underlying premise is that all children within Knowsley Central access the Universal level within school, and only some children will access Targeted and/or Specialist levels of interventions. It is expected children will move through the different levels at different stages of their learning journey & time within school.

Support may include:

  • Speech & language assessments to ascertain a child’s language & communication levels/needs.
  • Supportadvice & training for teachers & parents to ensure all pupils have an appropriate means/way to communicate their needs, wants, thoughts and ideas.
  • Modelling and implementing strategies and therapy techniques, to ensure specific approaches are embedded in the child’s everyday environment at both school and home.
  • Working collaboratively with teaching staff to incorporate SLC targets into Individual Education Plans (IEP)

Contact Information:

  • For further information or advice about the Speech and Language Therapy provision and support available within school please do not hesitate to contact Sophie Crilly via the main office in school.