INCLUSION

Inclusion Consultations are proving to be very popular and I have enjoyed meeting with parents to discuss concerns, catch-up on progress and share updates. Hopefully you are finding them useful too.

• They take place on a Wednesday afternoon between 2:00 and 3:00pm.

• There are three slots you can book into to speak to Mr Tippett (Inclusion Lead) and Mrs Foster (Deputy Safeguarding Lead). 

• They are an informal chat.

• No issue is too big or too small to discuss.

If you would like to book a Consultation please make contact with Mrs Foster via Dojo. If Wednesday afternoons are not possible for you an alternative time can be arranged.

CLASS+ 

CLASS+ works across East Sussex supporting families of young people with autism. It offers a weekly advice line, signposting, support groups, training for parents and short pieces of home-based support for school aged children.  They have a Facebook Page or can be contacted on

01273 336887.  Parents/Carers have to self-refer; we are unable to do this for you.

They also run Coffee and Chat Sessions and details can be found on their website.

COMMUNICATION FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS

During this last term we have been thinking about Communication Friendly Environments. We have reflected on all of the spaces in our school and considered how we can adapt and improve them to support the development of children's communication. This has been an important next step in making our school as inclusive as possible. Sometimes we think that we are making these changes to help a few children who need it. However, the changes often support the majority of children and make it easier for all children to navigate the school environment and access learning more readily.

Some of the changes have included:

• Using Widgit symbols/photos alongside text to label drawers and cupboards

• De-cluttering the space around Smartboards to improve focus on what is being shared on the board

• Ensuring Visual Timetables are used throughout the day and can be easily seen

• Thinking about what we say and how we say it to improve understanding

• Grouping children to encourage better communication and to develop language skills

• Setting out furniture to support learning and movement around the room

• Minimising noise, adjusting temperature and avoiding difficulties caused by sunlight within the classroom 

• More effective display boards 

• Visual supports to support strong routines