Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of English Hub schools having at least one member of staff who has received specialist speech, language and communication training.

Each of our 32 English Hubs will deploy 5 practising teachers as literacy specialists, to deliver early language and reading teaching support to local schools. These teachers will not be required to hold specific qualifications in special educational needs and disability (SEND), but they will be trained to support all children to learn to read.

Literacy specialists will also have access to the wide range of support available to all teachers. Since 2010, the Department has invested heavily in the development of resources and training to ensure that teachers are equipped to support pupils with specific types of SEND, including speech, language and communication needs.

To be awarded qualified teacher status, trainees must satisfy the teachers’ standards which include a requirement that they have a clear understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, and are able to use and evaluate distinctive teaching approaches to engage and support them.

In addition, the Whole School SEND consortium, funded by the Department, has appointed new SEND regional leads who are bringing together practitioners and networks to build a community of practice, to help identify school improvement priorities and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise.