SEND & Inclusion

A Champion for Every child - ACE

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

At The Oaks we pride ourselves in supporting pupils with communication difficulties as a part of our universal provision offer. We are working towards being a communication friendly school which will enable all learners, including those who speak English as an Additional Language to access learning in the classroom environment. This can be achieved by the careful use of language, visual aids, assistive technology and the use of language buddies.

For those children that require more targeted support to access learning, we are lucky enough to be able to offer access to the ‘Racing to English’ programme for our pupils. Mrs Sadler runs these groups, which encourage focused language work and promote group work/learner interaction and have been shown to be successful with a variety of learners including primary and secondary students and those with a hearing impairment. There are 3 main stages to the programme; 

Stage 1: beginning- 100+ activities for learners in the earliest stages of learning English, including 36 photosets and 35 language games.

Stage 2: starting stories-100+ activities using the simple past and simple present tenses including 40 mini-stories, 11 photosets & 37 language games.

Stage 3: Talking and reading-100+ activities at intermediate level including more demanding stories and work on 4 or 5 tenses.

Useful Information

Tools for schools EAL

The Bell Foundation

Speech and Language

At The Oaks we believe that Early identification is key which is why we screen all children in reception to identify any speech, language or communication needs. This is achieved through the use of the Mable Early Language and Communication Screener (MELCS) which is a research-driven digital tool designed to quickly identify children aged 4-5 (Reception year) at risk of Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN). With easy-to-administer subtests, MELCS provides reliable results, enabling us to offer timely intervention and support for students in need. This will ensure better outcomes, faster for our children.

Those children who require more targeted support may be offered access to the ‘Black Sheep Press’ Speaking and Listening through narrative’  Intervention which is an approach that is;

• highly structured, including clear lesson plans and follow-on activities

• designed to address many aspects of language and communication including attention, listening, receptive and expressive language skills

• based on meaningful activities that are common to many classrooms

• flexible and adaptable for different age groups

• appropriate to use with individuals, small groups and whole classes

• centred on developing oral skills and complementary to national literacy framework activities.

If you have concerns and feel that your child requires more specialist support then we are able to refer them to the external Speech and Language Service to be assessed by a Speech and Language therapist who will make individual recommendations after a thorough assessment of their needs. Mrs Sadler will work with you, your child and their Teacher to offer the best provision possible to your child.

Useful information

NHS Speech and Language Therapy Service

Parent to parent stammering support group

   Thought-Full

We are lucky to have Francis as our resident Mental Health Practitioner here at The Oaks. She is based here on Wednesdays and is able to support both individual children as well as provide workshops to both children, parents and staff around some key Mental Health areas such as anxiety and sleep.

Parent/Carer Involvement

We believe that the parents are crucial to the good mental health of their children and whilst services can offer support for a period of time, it is the family home that is the consistent factor in shaping a child's wellbeing. To support this we work with schools to provide parent support sessions, training and information.

When working one-to-one with a child or young person we also strive to involve parents/carers to varying degrees, depending on the age of the child.  This is because you are in the best position to support the implementation and reinforcement of the strategies we teach in sessions when at home with your child.  You are also best placed to encourage and support the completion of any home practice tasks set from these sessions.  If it is assessed as more appropriate,  for which it is more commonly with adolescents, we may work directly with your child, involving you with their permission.  With younger children in particular, we may work solely with you in order to achieve the best and most effective outcomes for your child.

From time to time we also consult with parents/carers as we feel it's important to have the voice of service users. If you would like to be involved please email Thought-Full@westsussex.gov.uk 

Please note that the Mental Health Support Teams in Schools is not an emergency service and cannot respond as such. If you feel that due to your mental health, you are at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please visit your GP, contact NHS 111 out of hours, or visit your local Accident and Emergency department at hospital. If you have seriously harmed yourself, call 999 or go straight to Accident and Emergency.

The Sussex Mental Health Line is available 24/7 on 0300 5000101.

Other crisis support:

• Childline (24/7)

• Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide)

• Samaritans

The Team

There are a variety of roles in the MHST employed by Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT) and West Sussex County Council:

• Assistant Psychologists

• Educational Psychologists

• Trainee Educational Mental Health practitioners

• Educational Mental health Practitioners

• Childrens Low Intensity Practitioner  

• Mental Health Practitioners

• Senior Mental Health Practitioners

• Advisory teacher  

• Clinical Supervisor  

• Team Leader

• Programme Support Assistant  

More information

Parent Leaflet