My Language & Literacy / Functional English

The My Language and Literacy/Functional English framework is split into 3 focused strands which aim to give pupils the opportunity to develop:

Functional Reading

All pupils experience and enjoy books in school every day with our 'Drop Everything and Read' initiative. This looks different in every class - some pupils prefer sensory stories, some like to read alone and others like being read to. We will continue to find new books that link to our curriculum and are enjoyable and challenging for all our pupils. Pupils learn to read phonetically using the 'Little Wandle' scheme. This is also supported by a range of personalised reading interventions for pupils that find it difficult to learn to read phonetically.

Early Reading & Phonics Intent Statement

Communication/Interaction Skills

Communication is an integral part of our school and residential provision. Every pupil at Stone Bay focusses on PECS/AAC, Makaton signing and intensive interaction to develop their ability to become as effective communicators as possible.

Functional Writing

All pupils are encouraged to develop their skills in writing. Like reading, this also looks different in every class. We individualise challenges for every pupil. These challenges will include the development of motor skills, using digital media and writing for purpose and pleasure. Our aim for all is to ensure that our pupils' language and literacy are always functional and will help our pupils become more confident and independent in the future.

Language and Literacy Policy

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds logo

My Language and Literacy/Functional English
Interaction Skills	Functional Reading	Functional Writing
· Responding and engaging with environmental stimuli	· Sharing pictures, text or stories (books, story massage, sensory stories, e-books)	· Making meaningful marks, moving towards writing legibly
· Interacting with others	· Phonics awareness	· Fine motor skills
· Communicating likes and dislikes	· Whole word reading	· Using phonics knowledge in writing
· Communicating needs and wants	· Reading for a purpose	· Whole word writing (follow Spelling Map)
· Sharing attention	· Reading for pleasure	· Recounts and sequencing
· Listening to others	· Recall and comprehension	Sentence composition and punctuation (verbal, symbols or written)
· Responding to questions	· Recognising signs and using signs in my community e.g. to keep me safe	· Writing for a purpose
	· Exploring reading materials online	· Writing for pleasure
	· Developing research strategies
	· Using TV and digital media

Subject Story: My Language and Literacy/Functional English

*Our Agreed consistencies for My Language and Literacy/Functional English* are: Pupils being taught daily to read and write using the ‘Little Wandle Phonics SSP’ Personalised interventions for pupils that need more support or a different approach to reading. Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) daily in every class. A functional communication system for every pupil - this may include PECS, context specific communication boards, Makaton, Communication Books, Vocas. Use of Makaton signing throughout the day. Visuals to support written text. Use of social stories (if needed) Attention Autism approaches used.** Opportunities for cross-curricular learning, especially with My Thinking and Understanding my World/Functional Living.	*If you were to walk into a My Language and Literacy/Functional English* lesson at Stone Bay School you would see: Opportunities for every pupil to access a range of reading materials for both function and enjoyment. Opportunities for pupils to practise writing/mark making/fine motor skills (challenging and meaningful) Pupils practise using their preferred communication methods in a range of contexts and with adults and other pupils. A multi-modal approach to learning. Pupils will be taking part in practical activities, written activities, technological activities and many more. Pupils work on developing their literacy for independence. Opportunities for pupils to learn to play imaginatively and recall experiences in their own way. In our My Language and Literacy/Functional English curriculum you will see that we value inclusion and diversity: My Language and Literacy/Functional English uses text and other media to ensure that pupils are exposed to a wide range of experiences that can expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around us. My Language and Literacy/Functional English supports a range of topics related to RSE (Relationships and sex education) and supports pupils in understanding different cultures, values and attitudes. My Language and Literacy/Functional English helps our pupils to develop communication skills that will help them to become a more integral part of society.**	*In our My Language and Literacy/Functional English* curriculum you will see that we value inclusion and diversity: My Language and Literacy/Functional English uses text and other media to ensure that pupils are exposed to a wide range of experiences that can expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around us. My Language and Literacy/Functional English supports a range of topics related to RSE and supports pupils in understanding different cultures, values and attitudes. My Language and Literacy/Functional English helps our pupils to develop communication skills that will help them to become a more integral part of society.**
British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Learning (SMSC) in My Language and Literacy/Functional English: Spiritual – by exploring different texts and media, pupils learn about and experience diversity and become more tolerant of others Moral – through being encouraged to develop curiosity and communicate more effectively, pupils are able to form their own opinions, listen to those of others and make their own choices. Social (including British Values) – Pupils are encouraged to communicate with adults and with others to ensure that their voice is being heard in all contexts either in school or outside school Cultural (including British Values) – Pupils explore different cultures and British Values through researching and developing knowledge through practical activities when out in the community and exploring information in school.
Article 23 – A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life Article 13 - Every child must be free to say what they think and to seek and receive all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law.

Our Agreed consistencies for My Language and Literacy/Functional English are:

Pupils being taught daily to read and write using the ‘Little Wandle Phonics SSP’

Personalised interventions for pupils that need more support or a different approach to reading.

Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) daily in every class.

A functional communication system for every pupil - this may include PECS, context specific communication boards, Makaton, Communication Books, Vocas.

Use of Makaton signing throughout the day.

Visuals to support written text.

Use of social stories (if needed)

Attention Autism approaches used.

Opportunities for cross-curricular learning, especially with My Thinking and Understanding my World/Functional Living.

If you were to walk into a My Language and Literacy/Functional English lesson at Stone Bay School you would see:

Opportunities for every pupil to access a range of reading materials for both function and enjoyment.

Opportunities for pupils to practise writing/mark making/fine motor skills (challenging and meaningful)

Pupils practise using their preferred communication methods in a range of contexts and with adults and other pupils.

A multi-modal approach to learning. Pupils will be taking part in practical activities, written activities, technological activities and many more.

Pupils work on developing their literacy for independence.
Opportunities for pupils to learn to play imaginatively and recall experiences in their own way.

In our My Language and Literacy/Functional English curriculum you will see that we value inclusion and diversity:

My Language and Literacy/Functional English uses text and other media to ensure that pupils are exposed to a wide range of experiences that can expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around us.

My Language and Literacy/Functional English supports a range of topics related to RSE (Relationships and sex education) and supports pupils in understanding different cultures, values and attitudes.

My Language and Literacy/Functional English helps our pupils to develop communication skills that will help them to become a more integral part of society.

In our My Language and Literacy/Functional English curriculum you will see that we value inclusion and diversity:

My Language and Literacy/Functional English uses text and other media to ensure that pupils are exposed to a wide range of experiences that can expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around us.

My Language and Literacy/Functional English supports a range of topics related to RSE and supports pupils in understanding different cultures, values and attitudes.

My Language and Literacy/Functional English helps our pupils to develop communication skills that will help them to become a more integral part of society.

Pupils at Stone Bay School say this about My Language and Literacy/Functional English:

“I like being able to tell people what I want’’
“I like stories about dinosaurs!‘’
“I like playing with the toys in the sensory room and writing my story’’
“I like the ‘Bag Book’ stories”

British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Learning (SMSC) in My Language and Literacy/Functional English:

Spiritual – by exploring different texts and media, pupils learn about and experience diversity and become more tolerant of others

Moral – through being encouraged to develop curiosity and communicate more effectively, pupils are able to form their own opinions, listen to those of others and make their own choices.

Social (including British Values) – Pupils are encouraged to communicate with adults and with others to ensure that their voice is being heard in all contexts either in school or outside school

Cultural (including British Values) – Pupils explore different cultures and British Values through researching and developing knowledge through practical activities when out in the community and exploring information in school.

Children with disability logo Rights respecting schools logo

Article 23 – A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life

Article 13 - Every child must be free to say what they think and to seek and receive all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law.

My Language & Literacy / Functional English

Functional Reading

Communication/Interaction Skills

Functional Writing

Subject Story: My Language and Literacy/Functional English

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