Lost for Words: How children struggle to participate when they can't articulate
Our latest report examines the growing issue of speech and language challenges among UK primary and secondary school children, highlighting key findings from a survey of over 1,000 teachers:
- Over a third estimate that up to 40% of their pupils face speech and language issues, and an overwhelming majority report that these challenges have intensified in the past five years.
- Teachers attribute this trend to reduced verbal interactions at home, increased screen time and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- While most primary teachers feel equipped to detect these issues, nearly half acknowledge that speech and language problems are frequently mistaken for difficulties in maths and literacy.
Explore our website to read more about teachers' views, case studies from schools and localities on how they are addressing these challenges, listen to a podcast on the link between wellbeing and SLCN, and see how our WellComm speech and language toolkit can both identify issues and offer immediate support.
Explore themes
Foreword
Geoff Barton, former Headteacher & General Secretary, ASCL, and Chair of the Oracy Commission for Oracy Education
The report findings
Lost for Words: how children struggle to participate when they can’t articulate
Case study: when talking isn’t easy
Headteacher Genna Hitchin supports the increasing number of children with speech and language issues.
Podcast: The link between SLCN and the wellbeing of learners
We speak to Katy Mullin from Dartmoor MAT and Nicky Martin from North Star Inclusion Advisory Team on the link between wellbeing and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
How our WellComm speech and language toolkit can help
Implementing WellComm in Birmingham primary schools
Project Leader Hanif Ur-Rehman and Project Facilitator Susanne Humpage explain why WellComm was introduced as a key tool to enhance speech and language support.
Supporting the success of Early Talk for York
Find out how the City of York rolled out WellComm amongst its early years practitioners to identify and support children’s speech and language development.
Misunderstood Maya
Speech, language, and communication needs can often go unnoticed, masked by behaviours that are misunderstood. That's why we're sharing Maya's story—a real-life example of how WellComm Digital quickly identifies delays and supports intervention through the Big Book of Ideas.
Podcast: How children struggle to participate when they can't articulate
We discuss the growing speech and language challenges among UK primary and secondary school children with Rachael Symons, Reading and Primary English Lead of Cabot Learning Federation.
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