Every mainstream school in Luton has an opportunity to attend Elklan training and create a ‘Communication Champion team’. A Communication Champion team consists of three members of staff, usually the SENCo, a Teacher and a Teaching Assistant, who are able to demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of or a specialist interest in Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). Upon completion of Elklan training, these members of staff are recognised as ‘Communication Champions’ who can then proceed to promote Speech, Language and Communication development for ALL pupils within their schools, by sharing and implementing the knowledge, skills, and tools that they learn from the training with other members of staff.
We have now trained 138 staff from 42 schools across Luton; this is 70% of mainstream schools in the area.
The training is written for staff supporting children and young people with SLCN in schools. It equips them with innovative tools and methods to enhance children and young people’s (CYP) learning in the classroom and promotes quality first teaching. The training uses relevant teaching methods including practical activities, videos, and group discussion to engage learners.
The training is delivered through 10 modules, completed over an 11-week period. Each week, learners complete an online e-Learning session via the Elklan website and prepare for the upcoming virtual webinar. This can be done at a time that best suits the learner. Learners then participate in a weekly virtual webinar which is held on a set day and time each week. The training will be delivered virtually via MS Teams; you will require to a device with a camera and microphone in order to participate. Learners then need to plan and implement knowledge and strategies learnt that week in order to complete a weekly online e-Learning Log. This can be done at a time that best suits the learner. Upon passing their Learning Log, learners will gain accreditation at Level 2 or Level 3.
By attending this course, we hope you will:
- Increase your capacity to identify and support CYP with SLCN
- Strengthen your understanding of the impact of Speech, Language and Communication difficulties on CYP
- Be able to identify CYP with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties and confidently refer these pupils for additional support
- Understand and be able to implement strategies at a universal and targeted level to support CYP with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties
- Understand the development of English as an Additional Language and how best to support this in the classroom
There are two courses to choose from:
- Speech and language support for 5-11s (primary school age)
- Speech and language support for 11-16s (secondary school age)
- Middle schools are encouraged to identify four members of staff, with two attending the 5-11s course and two attending the 11-16s course.
- Schools with less than 100 pupils can identify one/two Communication Champions, one of whom needs to be SENCo / Senior Leader, and attend the appropriate course.
Cost:
Training: Subsidised for schools in Luton (cancellation fees may apply)
Accreditation and certificate: £77.50 per delegate
Elklan ‘Language Builders’ book (hard copy): £12 (plus p&p) per delegate when ordered within the duration of the course
Upcoming Dates:
5-11s course, Mondays, 1:30-2:30pm:
Every Monday from 13 January – 31 March 2025
No session on 17 February during half term.
5-11s course, Tuesdays, 2-3pm:
Every Tuesday from 14 January – 1 April 2025
No session on 18 February during half term.
5-11s course, Wednesdays, 2-3pm:
Every Wednesday from 15 January – 2 April 2025
No session on 19 February during half term.
11-16s course, Thursdays, 3:30-4:30pm
Every Thursday from 16 January – 3 April 2025
No session 20 February during half term.
To register your interest
Identify your Communication Champion team, then send an email to elklanbookings@luton.gov.uk with the name of the three Communication Champions, their roles and email addresses.
Priority will be given to those schools who have yet to access Elklan training, then those replacing staff and finally to schools wishing to grow their communication champion team.
If you have any further questions, please email ccs.beds.childrens.slt.training@nhs.net