Welcome to Barley Croft Speech and Language Provision
Designated Specialist Provision (DSP)
Supporting children to belong, believe and become.

What Makes Our DSP Special:

Children in our DSP benefit from:

• specialist speech and language programmes
• small group teaching and targeted interventions
• regular input from NHS Speech and Language Therapists
• personalised learning programmes based on EHCP outcomes
• opportunities to access mainstream lessons when appropriate
• support developing friendships and social communication

Our provision focuses on helping children develop the communication skills and confidence they need to access learning and participate fully in school life.

Meet the DSP Team:

Our experienced team works closely together to support every child.

Speech and Language Therapists from the NHS work in school and each child receives the support outlined in their EHCP under Section G (Health Provision). Therapy may be delivered individually and/or in small groups.

A member of the DSP staff team is present during therapy sessions so that strategies can be continued throughout the school day. Programmes are also reinforced through additional follow-up sessions delivered by an ELKLAN-trained Speech and Language Support Specialist.

Curriculum:

Children in the DSP follow the same broad curriculum as the rest of the school, with adaptations to support their communication needs. We adapt the National Curriculum to take account of each child’s strengths and areas for development. All pupils take part in daily English and Maths lessons, with an emphasis on developing language and communication skills. These subjects are taught in mixed groups focusing on the child’s strengths and areas of weakness. Maths is taught using a purposefully designed scheme that supports functional maths, life skills and multisensory learning. English is taught using the National Curriculum 2014, but lessons are delivered at the child’s developmental stage and pace.

We teach Science and the foundation subjects of History, Geography, Design and Technology and Art, through the “REAL Project”. This provides engaging and meaningful topic-based learning. This is a whole school approach so pupils learn alongside other peers but with lots of repetition and practical activities to make it meaningful for your child.

Children take part in weekly life skills lessons, helping them develop independence and practical communication skills. These sessions may include outdoor learning, cooking, social communication activities, understanding their role within the community, participation in SINGclusive choir and real-life problem solving.

Children in the DSP are fully included in the life of Barley Croft Primary School: We are all part of the same school
The Speech and language provision is part of the whole school and the children are included in school life activities, including lunchtimes, playtimes, assemblies, PE lessons, Young Consultants, swimming lessons, residentials, performances and parties. Where pupils are working at age-related expectations, they may access learning within a mainstream class alongside their peers.

All teachers and staff at Barley Croft support pupils during these times to ensure learning is accessible and appropriately differentiated and everyone is included and communication is supported. We use lots of different strategies across the whole school to help support the children.

This is a quick snapshot of some of them:

Monitoring Progress

Each pupil has individual targets which may focus on (where appropriate):

• academic learning • communication skills • social development • independence and self-help skills • behaviour

Targets are developed collaboratively by:

• parents and carers • DSP lead teacher • the SENDCo • NHS Speech and Language Therapists • external professionals

Progress is reviewed throughout the year and formally discussed during the annual EHCP review.

Working with Parents

We believe strong relationships with parents and carers are essential. We communicate regularly through:

• phone calls • email • newsletters • parent meetings • Seesaw, our online learning platform

Parents are invited to:

• annual EHCP review meetings • meetings with professionals • school events and class assemblies.

Admissions

Admissions to the DSP are managed by the Special Education Service (SES).

Places are allocated through a panel process following the creation or review of a child’s EHCP where their primary need is Speech, Language and Communication Needs that cannot be fully supported within a mainstream classroom.

Transport

Where required, transport is arranged in line with the Local Authority SEN transport policy.

Parents must apply using the Leicester City Council online system once a place has been confirmed.

Application link:
https://families.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer/personal-transport-budget/apply-for-travel-support/

SEN Transport Enquiries 0116 454 0902 (Option 1, then Option 2)

Transition

We support pupils carefully as they move on to the next stage of education. Children leaving the DSP may move to:

• mainstream secondary school
• specialist provision within a mainstream school
• special school provision

Transition support may include:

• visits to the new school
• sharing information with staff
• transition booklets and photo guides.

Some children may also return to full mainstream education during their primary years if their communication skills develop in line with their age and they can access the pace of mainstream learning.