When schools and specialists work together, magic happens.
I was delighted when Mags Sexton, headteacher at Westcourt primary School, contacted me in 2022 about doing some whole school work on Morph Mastery to support spelling, reading and vocabulary. Westcourt had been using Sounds Write as their main phonics programme, with great results, and literacy was working well. However, Mags and her colleagues had found that there were still some pupils who were struggling in spite of this, and she wanted to find a systematic, research based method, which would complement and build on what they had already done, to support those children.
Mags is wholeheartedly committed to the learning and progress of all her pupils, including those with SEND. She knows that for SEND practice to be embedded, a whole school approach is needed. This is why she asked me to begin with training the whole staff.
I spent a morning at Westcourt with all the teaching and support staff, training them in morphology. We looked at what it is, how it is an integral part of the English language, and how it’s taught in the National Curriculum. We looked at lots of strategies that support all learners with this, and all staff were given an overview of Morph Mastery the intervention as well, so that they could support their teaching assistants in delivering it. I recall a lot of laughter and interaction throughout the morning! Here’s some pictures to tell the tale.
In the afternoon, I delivered Session 1 of a bespoke intervention training course for the teaching assistants. This course continued over the following months on a mixture of Zoom and face to face . I saw these individuals come alive with enthusiasm for a method of teaching that they knew would work with their learners, and the learning journey for them was an honour to watch. The hard work, determination and willingness to have a go was an enormous credit to these staff members who I grew to know well and love. However what stood out the most was the sense of a team. They supported each other and found time to talk and share ideas.
Since the course ended, these staff members have continued with the intervention, in spite of a change in SENCO and a number of other challenges. I have been back for review visits and enjoyed every minute of walking through these challenges together and seeing the resilience and determination of these individuals to see their children learn. This has not been a straightforward journey for Westcourt, but when is intervention for children with the most persistent needs ever? However, the learning that has been observed in both pupils and teaching assistants is a testament to the team spirit and passion at this school.
In Mag’s words…
For me the proof has been in the work that they have been doing with the children, and I knew we had hit gold when the other week and teaching assistant said to me, we can see she has made huge progress, and I can see the difference in her classwork daily. That for me means we are empowering children in their learning.
One of the teaching assistants, and her pupil, have very kindly agreed to make a film to showcase their work. Here it is…
I am so very proud of these staff members and children when I look at how far they have come. I have enjoyed every minute of working with them, and I have come a long way too. When schools and specialists work together, magic happens. Thank you, Team Westcourt!
