SENCO: Mrs S Billingham 

The Hub is a highly differentiated provision focused on supporting children with complex needs. All children who learn in “The Hub” have difficulties with Speech, Language and Communication.

Children will be part of a mainstream class and will engage in class activities based on individual needs. We aim for children to integrate into learning and social times throughout the day and adapt to ensure each child is supported. We encourage children to be included as part of their mainstream class and their teacher will tailor a curriculum to meet their needs. They will have 1:1 or small group support in the classroom when needed and have access to individual work stations.

The Hub focuses on equipping children with the skills they need to learn within the classroom environment. It is a structured teaching space focused on clear boundaries, consistent, structured routines, communication and language skills and independence.

Each child has a specially designed learning programme which includes personalised learning targets linked to EHCP’s, social communication and interaction targets and activities to support sensory regulation. Each session is highly focused and has a structured timetable. Children move between work station activities, speech and language activities, shared snack times, story times and structured play sessions.

We use a range of strategies to support children including:

• TEACCH
• Makaton
• PECS
• Now/Next
• Wellcomm
• Aided Language Displays
• Objects of reference
• Intensive Interaction
• Communication Symbol Supported Text

Where children are not yet accessing the National Curriculum, progress is tracked through Sandwell Skills Ladders, Wellcomm and a small number of children may be assessed and demonstrate progress through the engagement model, which looks at 5 areas of engagement in learning and is for children who are either in the very early stages of, or not yet ready for subject specific learning.

All staff receive regular training and support and work closely alongside outside agencies including:

• Educational Psychologists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Complex, Communication and Autism Team
• Specialist Advisory Teacher for Learning
• Specialist Advisory Teacher for Social, Emotional and Mental Health
• Occupational Therapists
• Physiotherapists