As part of INSET Day, Southfield School staff took part in an engaging training session led by Helen Coucher, School Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT), and Sem Kiazim, Communication Lead Teacher. The session explored activities based on the Attention Autism approach, helping staff develop practical strategies to support pupils' attention, engagement and communication.

The training explained how attention autism-type activities can be used to create motivating and enjoyable learning experiences that encourage pupils to focus, communicate and take part alongside their peers. Staff learned how these activities can help develop skills such as shared attention, turn-taking, anticipation, curiosity and social interaction, all of which play an important role in learning and communication.

A key part of the session was a live demonstration of these activities in a school setting. Staff were able to see that successful delivery requires much more than following a plan. It relies on knowing pupils as individuals, understanding what motivates and engages them, and recognising how the needs of each pupil fit within the wider class group. The demonstration highlighted how staff adapt in the moment, work together and maintain a shared focus to ensure all pupils can participate and benefit from the experience.

The session also included a practical planning activity where class teams worked together to design future learning experiences linked to real classroom events. This encouraged staff to think carefully about how to create opportunities for communication and engagement that meet the needs of both individual pupils and the whole class. The activity reinforced the importance of teamwork, consistency and a shared approach when supporting pupil development.

At Southfield School, communication is at the heart of everything we do. Training opportunities such as this help staff continue to develop their skills and knowledge, ensuring pupils benefit from engaging, well-planned learning experiences that support their communication, confidence and success both in and beyond the classroom.