All of the children at Oaklands have complex learning needs, which impacts on their ability to communicate and fully express themselves.

The views and opinions of our children are hugely important to us, and as our children are at unique points in their communication journey, we use a range of strategies to ensure they are heard, valued and understood.

Most pupils at Oaklands are pre-verbal or using very limited speech. Those with more complex needs use behaviour for communication, because of this staff are constantly monitoring the children to read their behaviour, body language, vocalisations and facial expressions to interpret their needs and wants. This strategy also applies to our pupils who are using paper or digital AAC, but may have only mastered some functional communication, and may not be able to express everything they want to yet.

Some of our children are able to communicate beyond the functional, either verbally or through paper or digital AAC, and will express themselves and converse with staff and peers.

We have the approach of ‘Every activity is a communication opportunity’, meaning opportunities for communication and expression are interwoven into activities throughout the school day, giving pupils numerous chances to express themselves through their preferred communication method.

At Oaklands we have 7 Learning Powers, which we view as essential for effective learning, this includes Talking. We class Talking as any form of expressive communication our unique children choose to use e.g. pointing, PECS, communication book, iPad talker or speaking.

As part of our Independence & Life Skills Curriculum, we also teach SoSafe! for Healthy Relationships. Part of this includes giving children the agency and means to give or refuse consent, be able to say when they are hurt or sad, and keep themselves safe. This is taught at differentiated levels to children on all pathways.