All pupils are readers, writers and communicators. Pupils gain the necessary functional skills to be successful and confident communicators, readers and writers at a developmentally appropriate level. This provides them with the best opportunities to be valued and active members of society now and in the future. Teaching is engaging and pupil-centred, offering experiential learning in order to foster independent enquiry and curiosity.
 
Communication and Literacy is a key life skill that enables pupils to engage with and access the world around them in a safe and meaningful way. All pupils are unique and have different ways of communicating. We use a Total Communication approach to ensure that every child’s voice is heard; we ensure they develop the appropriate skills to use it safely and effectively. Reading is a crucial life skill and embedded across the curriculum; we foster a love of reading. Pupils journey towards meaningful and functional marks as well as accessing phonics, spelling, punctuation and grammar sessions where appropriate. They use the written form as well as technology to support successful outcomes

At Silverwood, we value the importance of Literacy and Communication in pupils’ journeys to adulthood, and appreciate how vital it is to be a confident communicator. This is achieved through a Total Communication approach, which creates highly individualised opportunities for pupils to develop the skills and confidence needed to share their voices throughout their lives. Diversity and pupil identity is recognised through an immersive and multi-sensory approach to reading, mark making and writing. Our ambitious expectations challenge all pupils through curiosity and experimentation to develop and to extend their skills across the curriculum. We are passionate about developing a love of books and reading. We want our pupils to experience the magic of shared stories and immersive reading opportunities. Pupils are inspired to develop relationships, and to make connections with the wider world through their experience of a broad scope of diverse and ambitious texts that range across genres and times. The aim of Literacy and Communication is to create a language rich environment which places no limits on learning.

At Silverwood School, we provide an ambitious computing curriculum which is designed to motivate, engage and enthuse pupils, whatever their path through school. Pupils will be able to utilise technology in a positive way to benefit their everyday lives.  Pupils will learn to recognise technology around them and the significant role it plays. Pupils will learn how to access devices, which may be connected to the internet, safely and responsibly. They will learn to utilise and experience assistive technology effectively, with appropriate help where required to support their diverse needs. This knowledge will provide pupils the opportunity to interact with their world, communicate effectively using a variety of media and be as independent as possible throughout their school life and beyond. They will learn how to access the internet and utilise the information it contains whilst keeping safe and protecting themselves.

Pupils will also learn how computers work and that they are made up of hardware and software. They will learn how to access common software packages and how to utilise its functions and features. Pupils will also study programming which will help develop skills like planning, sequencing, decomposition (breaking down a problem into manageable parts) and troubleshooting.

​Finally, pupils will be exposed to a variety of technologies that are fun, engaging and that broaden their understanding of what is possible through the use of technology.

All pupils at Silverwood School will access either Phonics or Guided Reading sessions as part of the literacy curriculum.​

At Silverwood School we use the VIPERS framework as a key element of our literacy curriculum.  VIPERS is an acronym to aid the recall of the six key areas which we feel pupils need to know and understand in order to improve their comprehension of texts.

We have 100 fiction books that we recommend all our pupils experience/ read before they leave us.  These are books voted for and compiled by The Times Educational Supplement and the National Association for the Teaching of English.  The books are suitable for children of all ages and include old and new, classics and recently published stories.