School technology and alternative methods of communication like symbols can help develop pupils' writing skills and provide a medium for expressive writing. Pupils with developing handwriting will be encouraged to learn letter formation and keyboarding. The teaching of foreign languages is referenced because it helps pupils become aware of other languages and recognize similarities and differences. Most subjects use a whole-school topic scheme as a framework, though Communication, Language and Literacy may not fit neatly into topics and instead opportunities within topics are used to develop those skills. Individual Education Plans set individual targets in these areas. Progress is recorded in reports and annual reviews, with assessments potentially drawing from several sources like the Derbyshire Language Scheme. Staff collaborate regularly on curriculum development and a budget supports resources

1. School technology will provide a more appropriate opportunity for written
communication. We consider that stories that have been transcribed by staff or
recorded onto CDs are acceptable as evidence of pupils' writing skills. The
development of expressive writing is encouraged. Access to symbols has an
important role to play in this area for many pupils as their use, in conjunction with
appropriate alternative access methods, can provide a medium to develop
expressive writing.
Pupils with developing hand writing skills will be encouraged to use print with
the formation of single letters in order to provide greater clarity of text. Where
appropriate the alphabet will be presented to pupils in both upper and lower case
letters to help pupils use a traditional computer keyboard.
Reference to the teaching of modern foreign languages is made within this policy
because pupils will be encouraged to become aware that different languages are
spoken in different parts of the world and to recognise the differences and
similarities of other languages, especially French and English. Many pupils enjoy
the experience of speaking a different language.
For many National Curriculum subjects the whole-school topic scheme is used as
a framework to plan delivery. It is acknowledged that Communication, Language
and Literacy do not easily fit into sections to be covered within different topics but
that each topic does provide the opportunity to develop communication and
English skills and vocabulary associated with the topic. Some topics may also
provide the appropriate opportunity to cover literary works.
The main method of planning for each pupil's Communication, Language and
Literacy skills will be through their Individual Education Plans which are produced
each term and which will take into account the targets identified by PIVAT
assessment.
Progress in Communication, Language and Literacy will be recorded in termly
reports and in each pupil's Annual Review report. Pupils may be assessed using
the Derbyshire Language Scheme, Clinical Evaluation Language Fundamentals
(CELF), the Affective Communication Assessment or the National Curriculum
level descriptions. It is likely that pupil assessment will take place using a
combination of these.
Staff meet regularly to plan and review curriculum development, collaborating
with and supporting each other. A budget from the School Standards Grant will
be managed in order to support the development and teaching of Communication,
Language and Literacy.
This policy will be reviewed in the spring term 2011.
George Hastwell School : Policy for Communication, Language & Literacy Page 5