Communication Leaders A project all about communication led by and for children and young people

What is Communication Leaders? A project supporting children and young people to take on a unique leadership role in communication within their school. An innovative way of improving speech, language and communication development for children and young people, which is young person led. A project that is being piloted over 2 years with 4 partner locations: Wandsworth (London), Clacton-on-Sea, Nottinghamshire, and Wythenshawe (South Manchester). It is being funded by The Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Communication Leaders at secondary: Young people in school years 8 and 9 will become communication role models across the school. They will support vulnerable year 7 students with the transition to secondary school by leading practical school based activities, as well as being supported to develop their own communication skills.

Project objectives: To enhance the skills and confidence of Communication Leaders as a direct result of their involvement in the project To enhance the confidence and communication skills of year 7 students who are being supported by the Communication Leaders To augment the professional development of support staff who are mentoring the Communication Leaders To implement a framework of support for the children and young people involved through access to mentors, partners and self evaluation and reflection To evaluate the Communication Leaders concept against expected outcomes – for young people, their school and the local community To explore how Communication Leaders can be sustained longer term, whilst publishing and sharing learning

Why focus on communication? Speech Language & Communication Learning Social & Emotional Literacy Enjoyment Achievement Attainment

Why focus on communication? Language has critical importance for learning and wider development (Goswami, U., and Bryant, P. 2007) A focus on talk in the classroom can significantly enhance the way all children respond to schooling, in all subjects (Mercer, N. and Littleton, K. 2007) Secondary school is not too late to support and enhance speech, language and communication (Joffe, V. 2011) Students with low educational attainment and poor language have significantly greater social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (Joffe, V. 2012) Around 50% of young offenders have a clinically significant language impairment on formal testing (Snow and Powell 2011) Employers rank ‘effective communication’ as the competency most required and desired (Graduate recruitment, learning and development, Kaplan 2014)

Ofsted Communication has a strong position in the new Ofsted inspection framework, both in relation to teaching and learning and with a focus on those children who don’t attain well. Considerations are: How well teachers teach communication skills and pupils’ achievements in communication skills and their application across the curriculum; The achievement of disabled pupils and those with SEN since joining the school; How gaps are narrowing, the attainment of pupils eligible for pupil premium, how teachers systematically and effectively checking pupils’ understanding in lessons and make appropriate interventions; Teaching strategies, together with support and intervention to match individual needs

SEND reforms In line with the SEND Code of Practice 2014, being part of Communication Leaders can support your school with:  Identifying and monitoring pupils who require SEN support  Encouraging teaching and support staff to be responsible for the SEN needs of the children in their class  Implementing targeted interventions as part of the graduated approach  Identifying and supporting staff training needs  Increasing the involvement of children and young people themselves in decision making and planning  Committing to an increased focus on life outcomes for pupils, including employment, rather than units of provision  Developing a whole school approach to SEND

Why should my school get involved? Communication Leaders is a unique project where young people take on a leadership role in communication Resources and training will support Communication Leaders in their role, and they will get a reward at the end to say thank you The project will be tailored based on the needs of your school and roles can be delivered when it suits you - all of our schools are doing the project slightly differently School staff will be supported to do language checkers with communication leaders, as well as those students that the leaders are supporting as part of their CPD. You will receive this data to monitor how the students are progressing Pre and post evaluation will monitor the impact of the project and you will receive the final project report

“...The leaders and those being led already seem more confident within themselves. This for me continues to be a successful, exciting and forward thinking project. The potential benefits to all involved are clear and I look forward to being involved in its second year.” Keith Dawes, Clacton Coastal Academy “This is clearly a very forward thinking project and one we are very pleased to be part of. Having been a teacher for 14 years, I have seen many schools try and set up peer to peer intervention activities with little success. The difference with the Communication Leaders project is the clear guidance and support given by the Communication Trust.” AVP Extended Learning “This is clearly a very forward thinking project and one we are very pleased to be part of. Having been a teacher for 14 years, I have seen many schools try and set up peer to peer intervention activities with little success. The difference with the Communication Leaders project is the clear guidance and support given by the Communication Trust.” AVP Extended Learning “He was very nervous. Low self esteem. Since the project he has become more confident – lovely to see !” School mentor, Newark

Find out more... If you would like further information about the project, please contact Amy Harker: