School receives communication friendly status

Educational Diversity ELKLAN award presentation

A Blackpool school which teaches children outside of mainstream education has been recognised for the work its staff does to build their communication skills.

The school named ‘Educational Diversity’ has been awarded communication friendly status by the speech and language training company Elklan.

The school is the first secondary Pupil Referral Unit to have achieved this excellent award across the country. The prestigious ELKLAN Communication Friendly Setting (CFS) status is awarded to schools that have trained and supported all their staff in communication and language development.

Schools are also required to show evidence of putting this knowledge into practice and through the implementation of a Communication Policy.

The CFS enables staff to develop an increased understanding and support of students with speech, language and communication needs.

Wendy Casson, Headteacher at Educational Diversity, said ‘We are delighted to have achieved this award as it recognises our commitment in gaining a better understanding of how speech, language and communication needs  can impact negatively on a young person’s ability to learn. A young person may present with some behaviours when we first start working with them that often mask an unmet need in this area.’

Cllr Kathryn Benson, Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning at Blackpool Council, said ‘This is great news and a fantastic example of how hard all the staff at this school work to make a positive difference to so many young people’s lives.’