What are interventions?

These are usually led by a Teaching Assistant under the direction of the Class Teacher/SENCo with the aim of making accelerated progress over a set amount of time.  The targets should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound) and progress will be reassessed at regular intervals. 

Some examples of interventions and equipment which are used at Westfield are:

Cognition and Learning (Maths)

• ·         Maths 1st Class @ Number – regular small group teaching programme with an adult providing short term intensive support in number skills
• ·         Success at Arithmetic – a group maths intervention to improve understanding of  number and written calculation skills
• ·         Talking Maths – practical group work to develop use and understanding of mathematical language
• ·         Maths Whizz/My Maths/Number Shark – interactive maths programs covering a variety of topics
• ·         Pre and post tutoring – adult support prior to the lesson and/or after the lesson to ensure understanding
• ·         Number box – alternative methods to teach tables, numbers to 100 and time.
• ·         A range of equipment eg beadstrings, number grids etc accessible to all

Congition and Learning (Reading and Writing)  

• ·         Project X Code – combines systematic synthetic phonics and comprehension development
• ·         Easyread  - a computer based program for those struggling with decoding words
• ·         Nessy Learning Programme – a multimedia computer program focussing on reading, writing and spelling through games
• ·         Pre and post tutoring – adult support prior to the lesson and/or after the lesson to ensure understanding.
• ·         Toe by Toe – highly structured multi-sensory reading approach focusing on word building
• ·         Rapid Writing – increased opportunities for writing on a variety of topics including handwriting and spelling focus
• ·         Direct Phonics – repetitive teaching program for spelling based on synthetic phonics
• ·         Five Minute Box – Multi-sensory learning for reading and spelling
• ·         Word Shark – selection of games targeting spelling and dictionary skills
• ·         Acceleread/Accelewrite – structured program working on phonic patterns using a talkback program
• ·         Stareway to Spelling – focus on the most common spelling words
• ·         Accelerated Reader – a targeted independent reading progression monitoring system
• ·         Speed Up – handwriting program addressing difficulties with legibility and/or fluency
• ·         Clicker 6 – a computer based program to support writing using word and picture banks
• ·         Electronic dictionaries
• ·         All classrooms have laptops and ipads available

Communication and Interaction   

• ·         ELKLAN – advice and activities to encourage children’s communication skills
• ·         Lego Therapy – uses lego to develop communication skills
• ·         Talking tins – record and playback speech to develop listening and writing skills

Social, emotional and mental health difficulties   

• ·         Small group work with a Social Inclusion Worker
• ·         Social Skills groups
• ·         Haven lunch time club
• ·         Home/school communication books

Sensory and/or physcial needs  

• ·         Sensory Circuits – a variety of equipment used to develop physical co-ordination
• ·         Fizzy – Gross motor skills programme
• ·         Hand strengthening putty
• ·         Fine Motor skills group – eg. developing cutting, handwriting
• ·         Speed Up - handwriting programme addressing difficulties with legibility and/or fluency
• ·         Write from the Start – developing handwriting skills
• ·         Touch Typing (Nessy Fingers and other programmes)
• ·         Adapted pens/pencils and grips
• ·         Desktop sloping writing boards
• ·         Adapted rulers and scissors
• ·         Move and Sit cushions – a triangle wedge shaped cushion to promote correct seated posture

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