Westfield implement a total communication approach to meet the needs of our pupils. All staff ensure that the curriculum and classroom environment are communication-friendly. As a school, we employ a holistic approach to learning, ensuring that all our pupils leave Westfield with the necessary skills to access the world around them and participate fully in daily life with confidence and success.

As a school we use Sign along.  Sign along is a key word sign-supported communication system based on British Sign Language and is used in spoken word order. It uses speech, sign, body language, facial expression and voice tone to reference the link between sign and word. Every week, we share a sign with our pupils during assembly.

We have a Communication Team led by the Assistant Head. The team also includes two teachers who are Communication Leads, a Speech and Language Therapist (SALT), a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (SALTA), and teaching assistants who support colleagues with universal approaches and resources across the school.

The Pyramid below illustrates how we meet the needs of our pupil.

Speech and Language Therapy
At our school, the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) department plays a key role in supporting pupils to develop their communication, language, and interaction skills in a way that best suits their individual needs.

We are proud to offer a Total Communication approach. This means we use every available method of communication to help children understand and express themselves. These may include:

  • Spoken language
  • Gestures and facial expressions
  • Signing with Signalong
  • Symbols and pictures (e.g., choice boards, visual timetables, now and next, core boards, aided language boards)
  • Objects of reference
  • Communication aids and technology
  • Narrative therapy (Shape Coding and Colourful Semantics)
  • Adapting language levels (Blanks Levels of Understanding)
  • Brick by Brick
  • PEIC-D
  • Attention Autism

By using a combination of these methods, we create a consistent, inclusive environment that supports all pupils to access learning and express their needs, choices, and feelings.

Our team works closely with teachers, support staff, and families to ensure that communication strategies are used throughout the school day and embedded into all aspects of learning and daily routines.

Some children have individualised Speech and Language Therapy plans tailored to their specific communication needs. These may include:

  • One-to-one or small group therapy sessions
  • Targeted intervention programmes
  • Support for speech sounds, vocabulary development, or social communication
  • Training and guidance for staff and parents to reinforce strategies at home and in the classroom

We also support staff training to help maintain a communication-rich environment, where every child is encouraged and empowered to find their voice – in whatever form that takes.

Here’s more about our team:

My name is Diane Lewis and I am the Speech and Language Therapist working at Westfield Arts College. I’ve been working as a Speech and Language Therapist for over 20 years, supporting children and young people across a wide range of ages and school settings.

I support children who may experience difficulties with communication, including understanding language, expressing themselves, speech sounds, social communication and augmentative and alternative communication systems.  I am also focused on helping to embed our Total Communication approach throughout the school, so that all children have consistent, meaningful ways to understand and express themselves across the day.

My role involves working closely with teaching staff, support staff, and families to identify children’s needs and provide tailored advice and strategies to help them develop their communication skills.

I visit the school twice a week to observe pupils, offer direct or indirect support, and share recommendations with staff and parents. Any support provided in school is designed to be practical, engaging, and easy to carry over into the classroom and home environment.

I really enjoy working as part of a team that puts communication at the heart of everything we do.

My name is Tracey Holland and I am the Speech and Language Therapy Assistant at Westfield Arts College.

I have almost 30 years of experience of supporting students at 3  different SEND schools. I joined Westfield over 17 years ago, starting as a Senior Teaching Assistant and was then fortunate to work in the interventions team, delivering a variety of interventions for over 10 years.

In my current role I am extremely lucky to be working alongside Diane, our Speech and Language Therapist, helping to deliver specific speech and language programmes.

 I have an understanding of the importance of communication for access, confidence, participation and learning. I support our students through a range of communication: from articulation and expressive and receptive language to comprehension and building confidence.

As part of our whole school commitment to a Total Communication approach, I work alongside staff, therapists and families to ensure that communication strategies are used consistently and meaningfully throughout the day.