Embedding AAC Practices to Create an Aided Language Environment for All

Over the past eight years, Richard Cloudesley School has been on a total communication journey, implementing PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) across the Primary and Secondary sites.

This presentation will share how one school went on a journey to improve and implement AAC by embedding it into its School Improvement Plan and school curriculum. This journey brought about a change in culture and ethos within the school. It impacted the way that pupils engaged in learning. We will explore some fundamental processes that brought about this change, including the change it made to the pace of learning; the need for continuous staff training and enhanced induction training; and the need for new pupil assessments and robust school systems for setting up new communication systems. Alongside this school development we also supported parents to engage with communication systems at home. This approach guaranteed investment and commitment from all stakeholders, helping to bring about a sustainable and lasting Aided Language Environment for all our pupils.

This presentation is 105 minutes.