Speech, Language and Communication Alliance at Parliament
Four of our pupils had an exciting opportunity to visit Parliament.
On what was potentially one of the most historic moments in our recent political history with the announcement by Sir Keir Starmer of his resignation and the arrival of Andy Burnham in Westminster, four of our pupils had the exciting opportunity last week to visit Parliament and take part in the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance event, hosted by Jen Craft MP for Thurrock joined by Jess Phillips MP (Birmingham Yardley) and Helen Hayes MP (Dulwich and West Norwood). The children had prepared for the event with our colleagues from Speech and Language UK, crafting their questions carefully through meaningful discussion and reflection. As ever, our children were in no way phased by meeting some of the most eminent figures in government, instead focusing on the long-awaited ice creams and fizzy pop promised on one of the hottest days of the year!
The children from Meath and other schools asked a range of powerful questions about improving support for children and young people with SEND, speech and language needs, and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
Theo: How can you make sure there are enough LSAs for all children in all schools?
Rudy: What can you do to make sure ALL teachers understand speech and language challenges?
William: How can you make sure that all children are able to have (OT) equipment like this?
Drawing on their Rights Respecting learning and their right to be heard (Article 12), the children confidently questioned the MPs about how they would improve support for children and young people, particularly in relation to SEND. They spoke passionately about equity, diversity and inclusion, highlighting the importance of access to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Occupational Therapy (OT), as well as the strategies used in school to help them succeed. The children explained how adults support communication through signing, visual aids and other approaches, with signing helping to slow down speech and make communication more accessible. It was particularly meaningful that Jen Craft signed her responses to the children and shared her own lived experience as the parent of a child who uses Sign Supported English. The discussion was both inspiring and encouraging, with promising responses from the MPs. We hope these conversations will lead to meaningful action and positive change for children and young people in Surrey and beyond.
The visit was topped off by an impromptu visit from Dr Ben Spencer MP (Runnymede and Weybridge) with whom the children and the school have built up a strong working relationship. He was excited to see his “Meath fan club” in Westminster and has promised a return visit to school in the Autumn term.
Rudy, Evie, Theo and William represented Meath in the most awe-inspiring way, speaking with passion and conviction and as ever, articulately advocating for their peers across the country. Both school staff (Majella, Sian and Adrienne) and Speech and Language UK representatives including Neil, Director of Education, were blown away by the voices of these brave and brilliant young activists! It is testament to the impact of the Rights Respecting Schools work that is empowering our children to speak up and be heard. Well done each of you. We are so proud and plan to follow this up with many more events next year.
Taken from our June Newsletter
