Secondary Talk will provide: • Standards which define appropriate school based support for speech, language and communication in students from 11-16 years within secondary schools. • Tools, process and support for schools to develop good practice in this area. • Accreditation of schools to recognise good practice. • Workforce development. • Resources, materials and strategies, or signposting to them, for schools, practitioners and families. • Awareness raising, marketing and dissemination activities. The programme will operate at three levels: ‘universal’, ‘enhanced’ and ‘specialist’. Schools will be accredited at a particular level, chosen to reflect local need, to ensure that learning is put into practice. As with our other Talk programmes, accredited status lasts for 3 years and is subject to annual ‘health checks’. At universal level all school staff are taught about children and young people’s typical communication development and how to provide a communication supportive environment. They are helped to identify those who may need extra support. Activities that develop speaking and listening skills will be a normal part of lesson plans, giving all young people better communication skills for a wider range of life chances. At enhanced level staff will also have the skills and knowledge to provide an inclusive environment for children with a mild to moderate difficulty. Teachers will work in collaboration with local experts to support these children to help them keep pace with the language development of their peers and to prevent them from falling behind. At specialist level staff will be able to support children with more severe, complex and persistent communication disabilities within the school. In-school specialist teachers and speech and language therapists ensure that all children’s communication needs can be supported. There will be more focus on individualised interventions. In a particular area the numbers of each level will vary depending on need. The aim is that all children’s needs will be supported locally. Secondary Talk will be piloted in approximately 15 schools across three areas (local authorities or regions). After the piloting phase we aim to roll out the programme to secondary schools nationally on a not-for-profit basis using a similar strategy to Early Talk and Primary Talk. Budget – I CAN Secondary Talk Programme Development Phase 2008/09: £202,498 2009/10: £283,560 Total: £486,058 Programme Pilot/Evaluation Phase 2009/10: £132,990 2010/11: £310,696 Total: £443,686 Dissemination Phase 2010/11: £153,933 Total: £153,933 Total Programme cost: £1,083,677 Funding committed to date Paul Hamlyn Foundation 2009/10: £300,000 Eranda Foundation 2008/09: £50,000 Other pledges/donations 2008/09: £25,000 2009/10: £15,000 Balance of funds to be secured: £668,677