Our Expertise 

The Balanced System Scheme for Schools and Settings:  Centre of Excellence

Leigh Academy Milestone is a Balanced System Scheme for Schools and Settings 'Centre of Excellence' for Supporting Speech, Language and Communication Needs. Our Centre of Excellence' accreditation was first achieved in 2017 and has been maintained annually ever since.  Following a rigorous cycle 2 accreditation process, we achieved the 'Centre of Excellence' Award once again in July 2024. 

The Balanced System provides us with an important framework that helps us evidence the impact of our approach and provision that supports children's speech, language and communication needs. To find out more please see: https://www.thebalancedsystem.org/  

Supporting Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) 

Supporting children’s speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) underpins everything we do here at Leigh Academy Milestone.  A team of Speech & Language Therapists and assistants work collaboratively with teaching staff and families to support children's speech, language and communication development at a universal, targeted and specialist level of intervention.  

Total Communication Approach 

We follow a Total Communication Approach where signs, symbols, objects and sensory cues are used to create an inclusive communication and learning environment.  We use a range of strategies and resources to support children's understanding and their language and communication.  

Key Information for Parents/Carers

EHCPS 

To identify children's speech, language and communication needs, every child's EHCP is read at the consultation, pre-admission and admission stages before a child starts at Leigh Academy Milestone.  Decisions are made and the Local Authority is informed if the child's SLCN can be met from within the Academies' core offer or if additional resourcing will be required.  The EHCP is then used to ensure strategies, resources and provision are provided to support each child's communication and interaction needs.  

Before starting at Leigh Academy Milestone, families and carers are encouraged to check their child's EHCP to ensure the speech & language therapy provision specified has been provided in the previous setting i.e. early years or mainstream and also that it has been updated ready to transition into a special school setting.  

Annual Reviews 

Speech and Language Therapists contribute to children's annual reviews either by attending the meeting, writing a progress report following intervention(s) or as specified in the child's EHCP.  The frequency of SaLT attendance at these meetings or written reports will be determined by the individual needs of the child.  Where children's SLCN is supported by a specialist level of provision by a Speech & Language Therapist, programmes, progress reports or update reports are shared for the annual review when needed.    Speech and language therapists will make recommendations as to the level of strategies, resources and provision children need to support their SLCN.  This is based on outcomes of intervention and presenting needs for the year ahead.  

Early Years 

Children with SLCN in Early Years may be known to Kent Community Health  NHS Foundation Trust's Speech & Language Therapy Service. Children transfer to the Leigh Academy Milestone caseload in Reception if Milestone is the named school.  

Specialist Alternative and Augmentative Communication  

Children who meet the service criteria can be referred to the KM CAT Service for specialist consultation or assessment of their alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) needs.  We have referred many children to this service over the years and currently have three students open to KM CAT.  As a result of our many years of experience and collaboration with the KM CAT service, we are able to support children and provide them with the light-tech and paper-based AAC to support their language and communication development in the first instance.  Find out more here:

https://www.kelsi.org.uk/support-for-children-and-young-people/support-for-schools/kent-and-medway-communication-and-assistive-technology-service 

Dysphagia 

Dysphagia has been managed at Leigh Academy Milestone by the school's Therapy Team since 2003.  However since the start of 2024, children needing a new assessment or review (as a result of a change or concern) are now referred to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust's speech & language therapy team.  The school therapy team will continue to work with professionals from health and social care to ensure safe eating and drinking and will refer children to specialist services when needed.   

The school therapy team will continue to manage dysphagia by:

• working alongside teaching staff, 

• providing training to staff

• supplying basic assistive equipment to support safe eating and drinking, as children develop their skills and work towards independence