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Communication is an essential part of everyday life. It is also a fundamental human right. It is our primary means of accessing and conveying information and expressing our needs and wants. It is how we explain our thoughts and emotions and interpret those of others, make choices, express feelings and build relationships. It forms the basis of how we interact socially with others.

 

At Villa Real School we believe that becoming a competent communicator is key to our pupils/students achieving success within their school, personal and adult life. As such, communication is at the core of all our work at Villa Real and is embedded within the Curriculum and the wider school day. Developing communication skills is the responsibility of all staff and they should have the knowledge, skills, support and training to ensure that all pupils/students reach their communicative potential.

 

Effective communication is about more than just spoken language. It incorporates body language, facial expression, gestures and tone of voice. It may also include more formal modes of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) including but not limited to; Makaton sign language, sign supported English, a variety of symbol communication in both low and high tech forms, some of which use voice output.

At Villa Real School we pride ourselves on providing a ‘total communication’ environment. A Total Communication Approach involves using and accepting all types of communication, not just speech, equally. This approach includes facial expression, body language, gesture, sign, sounds, symbols, written language, pictures, objects of reference and electronic aids.

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Where the method of communication being used is not the most effective or appropriate we will work with the pupil/student to develop their communication skills, whereby the adults model the appropriate strategies to ‘teach’ how and when the modes can be used most effectively. This research based strategy is called Aided Language Stimulation.

 

Villa Real has achieved the Communication Friendly Award in 2020, and is currently re-accrediting.

The Communication team and ELKLAN champions provide training opportunities for staff, monitor students’ progress and implement new speech and language programmes supported by a Speech and Language therapist employed by the school.