English at KS2 and communication difficulties

The National Curriculum for English is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools. Key Stage 1 (KS1) covers years 1-2, children aged 5-7 years.

The challenges at KS2 are around group discussion, interaction and drama. There are also issues with the breadth of vocabulary required and the fluency of reading, along with the requirements to write for different purposes and develop skills in planning and drafting.

You can:

• Support group discussion by planning in advance, ensuring that vocabulary is familiar for the child. Share the child’s methods of communication with others in the group, supporting the child’s responses by intervening if necessary. If the child’s vocabulary is limited, encourage others in the group to plan questions that can be answered with a yes/no response, or in short sentences.
• For drama, encourage the child to participate in a small, non-stressful way and build their confidence through involvement that does not require much speaking. A performance with music may be easier than speech.
• Follow the child’s speech and language therapy programme and aim to incorporate their targets within the classroom, where possible.