Communication Bands
What are the communication bands?
The communication bands are the result of ten years’ work by a group of talented teachers and Speech and Language Therapists within the Eden Academy Trust.
The communication bands enable us to create curriculum environments that simultaneously support multiple pupils’ language, learning and communication development.
‘A common and consistent language.’
The communication bands provide staff with a common and consistent language to support pupils to develop their communications skills as part of a group rather than through individual intervention.
By using the communications bands within a group setting, staff are able to use similar interactions for multiple pupils.
Pupils are able to practice and refine their communication skills as part of the day to day running of the classroom through the integration of communication bands into teacher planning and daily delivery.
‘Transfer skills and interventions with multiple pupils.’
A qualified Speech and Language Therapist is best placed to moderate the bands pupils are placed in and to support teachers with implementation and practice.
However, if this is not possible for your setting, someone who has had additional specific training on the use of the communication bands and the process of using them can be allocated to this task. This training can be facilitated by the Eden central therapy team.
For schools who use external Speech and Language Therapist services, a liaison with the central therapy service will support the delivery of communication bands.
‘Communication bands are not an assessment tool.’
The communication bands are not an assessment tool; they are a guide to creating environments that suit different pupil’s communication development within the curriculum.
They are designed to be embedded within the school’s curriculum model and classing structure.
It is important that staff have the right level of understanding about communication bands before they are used and there are tiered development materials available to support both teachers and support staff in using the communication bands in the classroom.
If a pupil requires specific intervention above this, a Speech and Language Therapists assessment will provide additional information and advice in order to refine the learning environment further.
For further information please email: hello@theedenacademy.co.uk