Communicate at Grasmere caters for children from Reception to Year 6 who require a level of support with language and communication which is above what a typical mainstream or ARP provision offer but below that of a specialist school provision.

Grasmere Academy aims to inspire a community of lifelong learners by empowering its members to achieve their very best in an inclusive, stimulating environment. At Grasmere Academy our ethos statement underpins our vision and values.... 'Learn, Flourish, Achieve’

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We believe that all children have the right to learn, and therefore we will nurture them as they flourish, in order to allow everyone to achieve their potential. We are dedicated to this commitment.

Our Aims
* To provide a nurturing and supportive environment
* To develop independence
* To promote self-belief and confidence
* To ensure achievement and attainment
* To develop communication skills
* To develop interaction skills

Our Ethos and Rationale
At Communicate at Grasmere, we aim to offer a place where each child can learn, flourish and grow in a small group with adults who have expertise in supporting children with language and communication needs. We respond to children’s individual needs to ensure that each child reaches their full potential. We actively encourage the involvement of parents/carers in their child’s learning and organise a variety of opportunities over the year
for parents to support and engage in their child’s learning journey.

We provide a well-planned, exciting environment which supports children in their learning and encourages them to become independent and successful. Work is carried out as a whole class, in small groups, pairs or individually.

Our team are all highly skilled, committed practitioners who use their strengths and enthusiasm to create a purposeful, caring, supportive environment for all children to learn, feel safe and reach their full potential.

The Curriculum
The curriculum has been carefully designed to meet the needs of the children in the Unit. We use the National Curriculum differentiated to their needs and the targets set in the EHCPs. Children are taught in a variety of ways including whole class teaching, small group and individual learning. Learning is individualised to the pupil.

The Classes
The Unit is organised into two smaller classes:

• Enhanced Provision Class

For children who are at an earlier stage of communication development, including those who may be pre-verbal. This is predominately Reception to Year 3 children.
• Structured Provision Class
For children who are developing communication and are ready for more structured learning,
with continued support.  This is predominately Year 3 to Year 6 children.

 

This flexible approach allows us to meet children where they are and support their progress at the right pace.

Support
We work closely with parents/carers to provide a home from home atmosphere in which children feel
safe, happy and able to flourish. We also work closely with outside agencies to make sure that targets in EHCPs are met.

Access to the Communicate at Grasmere Unit
Request for access to the Unit provision (through the EHCP review process) will be considered for pupils who are not making expected progress despite intervention and support. Children accessing the Communicate at Grasmere Unit will be children who have language and communication needs. Allocation is decided by the SEND Panel. This will
include visits and discussions to a child’s current provision to further inform consult paperwork.

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Location
The Unit is situated within the main school building and the bungalow and has access to all the school facilities. The Unit itself has flexible working spaces and access to a large outdoor learning area. It is expected that the children attending Communicate at Grasmere Unit will have all learning opportunities in the Unit classrooms. However there will be opportunities for children to access the mainstream e.g. eating, socialising and celebrating with their mainstream peers. This will be dependent on individual needs.

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External Agencies
The Unit works closely with
 Speech and Language Teams
 Language and Communication Team
 Educational Psychology

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To arrange a visit, please contact school on 0191 2220259 or email send@grasmereacademy.org.uk