George Hastwell School uses symbols and a wide range of educational technology to develop communication skills in pupils. Symbols are used to introduce decoding text skills. The school uses switches, communication devices, computers, software and more to support the development of English skills. Younger pupils focus on the Early Years Foundation Curriculum, while older pupils work towards Functional Skills standards in English, which provide skills applicable to real contexts.

1. Symbols, based on the Widgit Literacy Symbol set, are extensively used at George
Hastwell School to develop the communication skills of pupils who will benefit
from being introduced to them. It is recognised that for some pupils symbols will
assist the development of more traditional orthography skills while for others
symbols will remain their main route to decoding text as well as potentially
providing a means of comprehension and expression of language.
The school uses a wide range of educational technology to support the
development of Communication and English skills. Technological resources
include:
• single switches
• a range of portable electronic communication devices
• single and multiple message devices
• Speech Viewer - a program which responds to sound
• a range of computer systems
• interactive whiteboards and interactive plasma screens
• symbol software
• word processing packages
• a wide range of other computer software
This list indicates the range of technological resources available but is not
comprehensive.
The Early Years Foundation Stage / The Primary Curriculum / Functional
Skills English
Younger pupils in school focus on the Early Years Foundation Curriculum. It is
acknowledged that many learners may not achieve all the goals within the Early
Years Foundation Curriculum and that it is appropriate for them to continue to
work towards the goals.
At the time of reviewing this policy teachers were moving from using the National
Literacy Framework to implementing the understanding english, communication and
languages element of the New Primary Curriculum (following the review by Sir
Jim Rose) which becomes statutory in 2011. It provides a basis for implementing
the statutory requirements for speaking and listening, reading and writing.
The new framework will also provide pupils working within key stages 3 and 4
with an appropriate programme of learning while working towards the
Functional Skills standards. The standards provide a suitable focus for pupils to
acquire meaningful skills which can be applied in real contexts. Being part of the
national pilot for Functional Skills has enabled pupils to access external
accreditation in Functional Skills English (2008 and 2009).
From September 2010 learners who are 14-19 will be taught within the Foundation
Learning Framework where the emphasis is placed on Functional Skills English.
George Hastwell School : Policy for Communication, Language & Literacy Page 3