Training for schools - face-to-face training
Summer term 2025
Understanding blanks levels of questionning
This hands-on, face-to-face small-group workshop will allow you to:
- Understand the "Blanks Model"
- Identify the level of language your students can understand
- Develop your students understanding of more complex questions
- Know how to adapt your own language to better support your students to understand what they are being asked, both within the classroom and during structured activities.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Learning how to use colourful semantics
This hands-on, face-to-face small-group workshop will allow you to:
- Develop an understanding of Colourful Semantics as an approach to support language development
- Understand the benefits of using Colourful Semantics and which children this approach is suitable for
- Learn how to use the Colourful Semantics approach with a range of practical activity ideas and opportunities to practise using the system
- Consider how to apply the approach within the classroom.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Using Wellcomm toolkit
This hands-on, face-to-face samll-group workshop will allow you to:
- To be confident in using the Wellcomm screening tool
- To know which children to target for speech, language and communication input
- Be confident in grouping children to support their communication at an appropriate level
- To know when to seek additional support.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
What is a secondary language group?
This group aims to provide equitable and accessible high-quality targeted intervention, to enrich the language and communication skills of children across Hertfordshire secondary schools. The group helps students who have language difficulties as their main presenting need, to explore supportive language strategies which can be taken back to the classroom to increase student advocacy and self-management. For more details on what this training involves and how to access it, please click here.
What is the Hertfordshire Shining Communication Award (HSCA)?
HSCA is a tool for schools to use to support and improve the outcomes for those children presenting with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). The aim of the tool is to support settings to identify their strengths and areas of development in terms of the support provided for children with SLCN in collaboration with a Speech and Language Therapist. Please click here for further information on the tool, the process and how to get started.
What is a primary targeted language group?
We are offering free training and resources for schools to run 3 different 12-week groups, each focusing on developing language comprehension, talking and attention for children in Reception to Year 3. For more information on the different groups and how to book this training, please click here.
Training for schools - virtual training
Spring term 2025
Virtual dysphagia special schools training
In this training you will learn the following:
- What a normal swallow involves and how complex the process is
- To understand eating and drinking difficulties in the children we work with
- To understand what risk factors to look for, and what strategies to use.
Click here for booking information (special schools only)
Summer term 2025
An introduction to selective mutism (SM)
This training session will allow you to:
- Learn more about the nature of SM
- Feel more confident in identifying children with SM
- Be aware of strategies that can be used to reduce anxiety and support the child or young person with selective mutism across the school day
- Know where to access further support, resources, training and information on SM.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Information carrying words
This training session will allow you to:
- Learn to assess a child's key-word level of understanding
- Use this knowledge to support their understanding in the classroom
- Understand how to develop a child's level of keyword understanding through simple and enjoyable activities
- Support children to follow instructions of increasing length & complexity.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Supporting social communication for school-aged children
This training session will allow you to:
- Understand, accept and celebrate neurodivergent communication in Autistic children and children with social communication and interaction differences
- Learn how you can align your whole school with current best practices in neurodivergent-affirming communication support
- Learn new and reflect upon existing strategies to create an Autistic communication-friendly classroom environment
- Know where you can go for further information/support.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Supporting social communication in early years settings
This training session will allow you to:
- Learn about the Means, Reasons, Opportunities model
- Understand about social communication needs
- Learn ways to facilitate interactions
- Learn how to give children a reason to communicate
- Consider how to make a plan for applying strategies to children in your setting.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Talking with children
This training session will allow you to:
- Understand the different interaction styles
- Identify your own interaction style and the impact this has on a child’s language development
- Learn top tips and hands-on communication strategies to use through play
- Optional opportunity to receive supportive video coaching to enhance your play and interaction skills.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Understanding development language disorder
This virtual training session will allow you to:
- Understand the nature of DLD and how these difficulties may present in the classroom
- Consider the impact of DLD on the child/young person’s life
- Learn strategies that can be used and applied in everyday teaching to support children with DLD
- Know where to go for further information/support if needed.
Click here for booking information (PDF)
Elkan virtual courses
We are now able to offer virtual speech and language support Elklan courses for 3-5yrs, 5-11yrs and spoken language disorder (SLD).
Practical courses for those working with children. Information and strategies to develop the communication skills of all children but especially those with speech, language and communication needs
3-5yrs (further dates to be added in due course)
5-11yrs (further dates to be added in due course)
11-16yrs (further dates to be added in due course)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (further dates to be added in due course)
Makaton virtual courses
We are now able to offer virtual Makaton levels 1 and 2 courses.
These workshops teaches signs and symbols and additional vocabulary.
Webinars
Supporting speech sound development
This training session will allow you to:
- understand how children usually develop speech
- learn how you can help children develop their speech within routine and play activities
- know what to do when you can’t understand what a child is saying
- know when to refer for assessment by the speech and language therapy team
Click here for the speech universal training webinar
Supporting vocabulary development in secondary schools
This webinar training is appropriate for all teaching staff working in Secondary Schools. However, it may be particularly beneficial for teaching assistants or members of learning support staff who play an active role in supporting children’s speech and language therapy targets. The webinar will enable you to:
- Understand why students may have difficulties with vocabulary and how these difficulties may present in the classroom
- Understand the three tier model of vocabulary
- Learn about different types of vocabulary support
- Develop your understanding of strategies you can use with all students
Click here for the training webinar
Glue ear
An introduction to glue ear and when to refer to children's speech and language therapy.
Click here for the training webinar
Understanding Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) Webinar
This webinar will help you to:
- Have a greater understanding of SLCN and its impact on children’s attainment.
- Increase confidence in using strategies to support children with SLCN both at home and in the classroom.
- Find out where to access further information and training to support children and young people with SLCN.
- Learn about the 3-tier model to support children with SLCN and where to access information on our referral process.
Click here for the training webinar
Word aware
We are now able to offer a virtual Word Aware training course.
This workshop takes a whole-school approach to promote the vocabulary development of all children.
Please click here to register your interest.
