Welcome to our Language Resource Base
At Springdale Primary, we are proud to offer a highly specialised Language Resource Base (LRB) designed to meet the unique needs of children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). Our provision ensures every child receives the tailored support they need to thrive both academically and socially.
We currently have four resource base groups, each delivering a bespoke curriculum that focuses on developing communication skills alongside core learning. These groups are organised by stage, not age, allowing us to match provision to each child’s developmental needs rather than their chronological age. Every resource base is led by an experienced specialist teacher, supported by Level 3 Teaching Assistants, who work together to plan and deliver high-quality, targeted interventions. When children are not accessing their mainstream classroom, they benefit from this personalised approach within the resource base.
The amount of time a child spends in their mainstream class varies according to their individual needs, their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and the point in the school year. Children may also move between resource base groups for parts of their timetable to ensure their learning journey remains flexible and responsive.
We work in close partnership with parents, carers, and external professionals to ensure every child has access to the most appropriate provision. Families are kept informed of progress every step of the way because we believe collaboration is key to success.
Our aim is simple: to help every child SHINE – building confidence, communication, and a love of learning.
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In Adventurers, we offer a speech and language-based curriculum designed to support pupils in developing their communication skills in a structured and nurturing environment. Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) interventions are embedded throughout the day, forming an integral part of the curriculum. Each child follows a personalised timetable and works towards individual targets, ensuring their unique needs are met.
The curriculum is rooted in the Early Years Foundation Stage and incorporates key areas such as literacy, numeracy, and phonics. Like Explorers, Adventurers also use the Core Word Programme to build vocabulary and understanding; however, there is a stronger emphasis on developing spoken language.
To enhance communication and accessibility, Widgit symbols are integrated across resources and displays, providing visual support for all learners. Staff also use Makaton signing to reinforce spoken language, aid understanding, and offer alternative means of expression for pupils who need it.
Progress is assessed using the PIVATS scales, which allow us to capture and celebrate the small steps of progress each child makes. This structured approach supports a smooth transition into Discoverers when pupils are ready for the next stage of their learning journey. We use Tapestry to communicate effectively with parents, sharing observations and progress, and capturing valuable parental voice to strengthen the partnership between home and school.
Explorers
Discoverers
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Discoverers provides a dynamic and supportive learning environment where communication development is at the heart of everything we do. Our curriculum is carefully designed to nurture speech and language skills while ensuring pupils access a broad and balanced education. It is also highly responsive, adapting to individual needs and interests to maximise engagement and progress.
Through structured teaching, personalised timetables, and engaging activities, we empower children to take ownership of their learning and achieve their individual goals. Our approach is rooted in the National Curriculum, with White Rose Maths providing a clear and progressive framework for numeracy. Literacy, phonics, and core subjects are taught alongside targeted speech and language activities.
Each child follows an individualised timetable, giving them ownership of their learning by allowing them to add or remove symbols throughout the day—promoting independence and self-regulation. To support communication, we integrate Widgit symbols across resources and displays, ensuring visual clarity and accessibility for all learners. Additionally, staff use Makaton signing to reinforce spoken language, enhance understanding, and provide alternative means of expression for pupils who need it.
We enrich the curriculum with regular sporting events to develop teamwork, resilience, and life skills, and pupils take part in weekly cooking sessions to build practical skills and confidence. Progress is assessed using PIVATS scales, enabling us to capture and celebrate small steps of progress. This structured yet flexible approach supports a smooth transition into the next stage of learning when pupils are ready.
We maintain strong home-school partnerships through Tapestry, sharing observations, progress updates, and gathering parental voice to ensure consistency and collaboration.
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In Explorers, we deliver a sensory-based curriculum tailored to meet the diverse needs of our pupils. Our approach prioritises engagement through Intensive Interaction and fosters language and communication development using a variety of methods, including Widgit symbols, Makaton signing, objects of reference, and ALD boards as an additional means of communication.
Each child follows a highly individualised timetable designed to support their unique learning profile. Daily Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) interventions are embedded into the routine, and we implement the Core Word Programme, introducing and reinforcing one key word each week to build functional communication skills.
Progress is carefully tracked using the Cherry Garden assessment framework, which captures the small but significant steps in development. Once pupils are ready, they transition to the PIVATS assessment scales to continue monitoring progress in a structured and meaningful way.
Observations and progress updates are regularly shared with parents via Tapestry, providing a clear picture of each child’s journey. This platform also enables us to receive valuable parental feedback, strengthening the home-school partnership and ensuring strategies and learning approaches remain consistent between home and school for maximum impact.
Adventurers
Pioneers
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Pioneers offers a flexible and inclusive learning environment designed to help children thrive while maintaining strong links with mainstream education. Our curriculum is highly responsive, adapting to individual needs and interests while following mainstream subjects wherever possible at the appropriate level for each child. This approach ensures pupils access a broad and balanced education while building confidence and independence.
We prioritise integration opportunities for pupils who are ready to access aspects of mainstream learning, enabling them to join lessons and activities to develop social skills and experience a wider curriculum. Structured teaching and personalised timetables give children ownership of their learning, while targeted support helps them achieve their individual goals.
Core subjects, including literacy, phonics, and numeracy, are taught alongside strategies that promote communication and self-regulation. Widgit symbols are embedded across resources and displays to enhance accessibility, and staff use Makaton signing to reinforce spoken language and provide alternative means of expression where needed.
Progress is tracked using PIVATS scales, allowing us to celebrate small steps and ensure readiness for the next stage of learning.
Strong collaboration with families remains central to our approach, with regular communication and shared planning to support consistency between home and school.
