New lessons in the way to teach young

Ibelieve every child has the right to achieve their full potential and, contrary to what some parents think, giving your child a flying start begins way before school, way before nursery. In fact it starts from the moment of birth.

A baby learns more on its first day than any other day, more in its first week than any other week, more in its first year than any other year.

And during its first few years a child acquires many amazing skills and it falls to all parents to optimise the chances of their child acquiring those crucial skills – physical, mental, social and psychological.

It follows that children who may not be gifted or who may have a developmental or learning difficulty need to be given the same chance. This hinges on early intervention, something the Government believes in but is slow to implement.

A few weeks ago I visited Riverston school in South East London where this early intervention is at the heart of their philosophy and the driver of their educational approach.

Here they concentrate on children with additional needs who require learning support.

It’s badly needed. Only half of our five year olds are achieving a good level of development.

At its core, Riverston gives each and every family in-depth assessment, diagnosis and therapy, as well as providing bespoke learning props in their early intervention nursery where children learn through play.

Their child carers provide speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and learning support from educational psychologists and paediatric neurologists.

Boys and girls from 12 months to 16 years with a wide range of learning difficulties enjoy mainstream

A baby learns more on day one than any other

schooling, enabling the majority of pupils to achieve GCSE and vocational results. The school is a small, close-knit community of learners creating an environment where all children, irrespective of their background or previous school experience, feel safe and happy while also being stretched and challenged.

This builds self-esteem and confidence. It enables children to develop their own individual talents and abilities, to succeed together and to fulfil their own aspirations and ambitions.

In this environment all children can progress in their development and learning. With this kind of support they can make and achieve realistic targets that are functional, sustainable and appropriate so they become contributing members of society.

Children become equipped to overcome challenges and this forestalls all kinds of social problems in the future.

Why can’t the Government take a leaf out of Riverston’s book?

www.riverstonschool.co.uk