‘Getting the message across is a real moment of magic’
Columbia Grange School, in Washington, has received the Bronze Accreditation Award for the delivery of Makaton to help its non-verbal children, as well as pupils who struggle with their language, to be able to communicate.
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable the children to communicate. It is relayed primarily through a range of hand signs, but can also incorporate symbols in books and on key-cards.
The school, in Oxclose Road, provides education for children with severe learning difficulties, including autism,and“around65outof115” of the pupils use Makaton to enable them to communicate.
The accreditation, which is awarded by the Makaton Charity, is a national standard benchmark of excellence in the delivery of the language programme.
Headteacher John Lines said: “This award means an awful lot to us. It means we have reached a national standard in the delivery of Makaton across the school. It means that we’ve got staff who are competent, able and willing touseMakatonasaninterface with the children.”
The ability for children to be able to communicate is fundamentaltoboththeiracademicprogressandsocialand mental wellbeing.
Eachweekwillseethechildren and staff learn a ’Sign of the Week’, many of which are linked to emotions.
John added: “Many of our children are visual learners and Makaton focuses on the link between sound and meaning.
“For a child not to be able to communicate is obviously very frustrating for them. Makatonisthereforeessential for regulating their mood and enabling them to get essential messages across.”
The programme has been led by teacher Michelle Wardroppper who has seen firsthand the benefits Makaton can have.
She said: “There’s a lot of frustration when children can’tcommunicatewhichcan lead to behaviour problems. Forsomechildrenithasmade a massive difference.
"Seeing that light bulb moment when they are able tto get their message across is a realmomentofmagic.Wenow want to push on even further andachievethesilverandthen gold award.”