Thorney Close Primary School is based in Sunderland within one of the 10% most deprived areas in the UK according to the 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Thorney Close has a longstanding relationship with Magic Breakfast and came to the ALMT’s attention through a virtual Magic Breakfast event in March 2021. The school has 49% of children on free school meals and a large proportion of children come to Nursery and Reception with speech and language delay and specific development needs.

When referred to the local NHS Speech and Language provision, often the families do not attend as it is outside their local area and they don’t necessarily understand the benefit. The school therefore, has to address these needs for the child and this has an impact on their ability to learn and develop. Since Covid this situation has got worse as Health Visitor support has declined along with Early Years provision.

The project will provide targeted Speech and Language support for children attending the nursery and possibly higher up the school.  School staff will identify specific children and provide afternoon sessions for approximately 10 children. The school will allocate a couple of higher level teaching assistants to run these sessions. Thorney Close will also train staff and parents in storytelling and reading. By involving parents and the community the school will be able to kickstart a wider change. On other afternoons, the school will provide ‘mobility’ sessions for nursery children needing support in this area.