School updates

Groundbreaking speech and language education at Meath School showcased by leading US clinical journal

July 2, 2025

Meath School in Surrey, one of the UK’s leading specialist schools for children with complex speech and language challenges, has received international recognition for its pioneering Total Communication approach — hailed as a model for inclusive education. 

In a significant endorsement, leading American clinical publication The Informed SLP has reviewed and spotlighted research from Meath School in its June 2025 issue. The paper on the Total Communication approach — developed and embedded at Meath — was selected not only for its clinical relevance but also as the cover image for the entire issue, which is shared across an audience of more than 30,000 speech and language professionals worldwide. 

Total Communication is a whole-school philosophy that gives children multiple ways to understand and express themselves — whether through speech, sign language, pictures boards with words, gestures, assistive technology in the form of voice output communication aids, or any combination of these together. Every lesson, routine and interaction at Meath is built around this inclusive approach. 

By tailoring communication support to each child’s needs, Meath – which supports children who have the most complex speech and language challenges – helps pupils thrive in their interactions, learning, confidence and relationships.  

Meath School is run by Speech and Language UK, the national charity dedicated to supporting the two million children with speech and language challenges. Our mission is to ensure every child can face the future with confidence — regardless of how they communicate. 

Jessie Luckins, Senior Speech and Language Therapist at Meath School and who led the research for the Total Communication approach, said: “Total Communication isn’t just an approach – it’s a belief that every child deserves to be heard in the way that works for them. Children who struggle with speech and language are at greater risk of falling behind academically and socially. But approaches like Total Communication show what’s possible and how children can interact and grow, with the right support in place.” 

The Informed SLP — short for speech-language pathologist, the US equivalent of speech and language therapists — connects clinicians with the best, most useful, up-to-date and practical research. In their review, they highlight Meath’s Total Communication approach as a blueprint for best practice, noting the importance of using visual representations of language, such as signing, and using Total Communication everywhere all the time, not just in lessons. The review highlights that teachers, speech and language therapists and learning support assistants working together is vital, particularly in areas like teaching vocabulary and modelling the use of the communication methods.  

The Total Communication approach has also been selected as the cover image of the latest issue of The Informed SLP’s prestigious journal — a clear visual signal of the importance of this research to the wider professional community. 

With one in five children in the UK having speech and language challenges, Speech and Language UK is keen to share its practices and work with mainstream schools to ensure no child is left behind.  

Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK: “We’re proud that our work at Meath is being recognised on the global stage — and even prouder of the children whose voices are now being unlocked every day. While Total Communication has long been a core part of Meath’s work, its potential reaches far beyond specialist settings. That’s why Speech and Language UK believes this approach should inform teaching nationally.” 

Notes to editors: 

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  • Meath School, located in Ottershaw, Surrey, is part of Speech and Language UK and is one of a small number of non-maintained special schools in the UK catering for children aged 4–11 with complex speech and language challenges. 
  • The Informed SLP review summary is available here: Total Recall: Starring the Total Communication approach 
  • To view the cover image search ‘Total Communication approach’ from The Informed SLP homepage
  • The full research paper is available here: Luckins, J., Tongue, G. and Clegg, J., 2025. Is the Total Communication approach effective for children with complex speech, language and communication needs? Child Language Teaching and Therapy, p.02656590251315598   https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02656590251315598