Publications

Communication at the Heart of the School: A Guide for Practitioners Working with Children with Learning Difficulties

​By Rachel Sawford and Ann Miles

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REVIEWS 

Throughout the book the authors' experience and dedication to both the children in their care and their colleagues, shines through. From the careful explanation of the framework, how to assess and build meaningful individual plans, to creating successful communicative and learning classrooms, this book is clear; it inspires and it is inclusive. 

Clare Latham, MRCSLT

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Communication at the Heart of the School is really accessible and from the perspective of a school leader wanting an inclusive approach, it is very straightforward. CATHS could be easily implemented into any School Improvement Plan. 

Lisa Leonard, Head Teacher, The Chiltern School

 

Building a Curriculum for Children with Complex Needs: Placing Curriculum at the Heart of the School 

This book provides a clear, user-friendly curriculum designed to support primary aged children with Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD) and Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD).

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Drawing upon the Communication at the Heart of the School (CATHS) approach, the curriculum is based on the premise that children learn when they are engaged. It provides practitioners with the skills and knowledge to personalise and create lessons that will engage their children according to their assessed levels and considers how activities can be adapted to meet many different learning needs. The book includes:

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• A quick screening assessment to supplement the complete CATHS assessment

• A curriculum framework

• Discussions on how to select appropriate curriculum objectives

• A long-term activity planning map with National Curriculum links

• Advice on how to plan lessons which engage and challenge

• Individual topic plans as well as full lesson plans

• Guidance on how to resource classroom

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Above all, this curriculum is realistic and is based on a practical formative assessment which enables children to be taught in groups and allows teachers to focus on creating both engaging and challenging lessons. It is an essential resource for both mainstream and special school staff, including SENCOs, classroom teachers, and senior leadership teams.

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