Date: 23/02/2022
Gwynedd and Anglesey schools are making the most of an innovative way of working which has helped the communication skills of their pupils.
Ysgol Pendalar and Ysgol Hafod Lon in Gwynedd, and Canolfan Addysg y Bont in Anglesey were the first special schools in Wales to secure the coveted ‘Communication Friendly Setting Elklan’ status.
This followed two years of hard work by the schools working in partnership with the Speech and Language Therapy service and supported by the Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service.
The programme is widely used in Gwynedd and Anglsey schools and promoted by the local Health board’s Speech and Language Therapy service to support pupils with additional communication needs.
Elklan was established in 1999 by two speech and language therapists, Liz Elks and Henrietta McLachlan, to train education staff to become more effective in supporting children with speech, language and communication needs.
Liz Elks, Director of Elklan Training said:
“Each school has specialist teachers known as Lead Communication Practitioners who are an ongoing resource to train new staff and continue to build each school's capacity to support communication.
“Lowri Roberts, who tutored the programme, has high praise for all those who took part and I am especially pleased as these are the first schools to attain the coveted Elklan Communication Friendly Special School status in Wales.”
Gwynedd Council Press Release:
https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/News/Press-releases/Chwefror-2022/Ysgolion-Gwynedd-yn-arwain-y-ffordd-wrth-gefnogi-plant-gydag-anghenion-cyfathreb.aspx
Isle of Anglesey Council Press Release:
https://www.anglesey.gov.uk/en/newsroom/news/canolfan-addysg-y-bont-gains-prestigious-award