Alva Primary School has undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming a model of inclusion and communication-friendly practice thanks to a close partnership with NHS Forth Valley’s Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service.

What began in the Ochil autism provision classes has grown into a whole-school approach that is reshaping classrooms, corridors and culture – benefitting staff, pupils and families alike.

Retiring Headteacher Lynda McDonald explained: “Before, SLT felt like an outside agency – they came in to work with individuals, but the wider school environment didn’t change. Now, our link therapist is part of the team. Together we’ve created a whole-school approach that supports every child.”

Through regular collaboration, SLT input is now embedded at senior leadership level and incorporated into school improvement planning. The model has expanded to include Occupational Therapy and Educational Psychology, giving staff multiple professional perspectives when designing supportive learning environments.

Previously, classrooms and corridors were visually cluttered, creating sensory overload and anxiety for many pupils. Now, as part of the Gold Level Communication Environment work, visuals are clear, consistent and dyslexia friendly.

Children and staff report that timetables, labels and directions make it easier to navigate the school, while visual lunch menus help pupils make confident choices.

One pupil said: “It’s a big school, and before you sometimes didn’t know where to go. Now there are signs everywhere. You know whose classroom it is, and you don’t worry about going into the wrong one.”

A team of nine Junior Communication Champions play an active role in maintaining the environment. They check classrooms and corridors to ensure signage and visuals are clear, consistent and helpful.

“We go around the school and check if everything is in place. We even get to sneak into classrooms to check the signs there too – that’s fun!” the pupils explained.

The team agrees the changes have made school life calmer and more accessible – and they are determined to keep it that way.

The school’s values – Safe, Ready, Respected – are now reinforced visually, supporting all pupils to understand and meet expectations. Teachers have access to a central bank of SLT resources and receive regular training, building their confidence to use strategies such as Colourful Semantics and social stories.

Families benefit too, with SLT staff offering drop-in sessions and joint support alongside teachers, strengthening home-school communication.

One teacher noted: “Using visual supports to help children understand and express themselves has become second nature for us.”

Staff report reduced anxiety, improved wellbeing and stronger literacy outcomes – particularly in the early years. Colourful Semantics is now a consistent feature in P1 and P2 classrooms, while targeted groups in P3 and P4 receive additional support.

Ms McDonald added: “This integrated model supports staff workload too. It’s not about doing extra work – it’s about doing the right work, together, for the benefit of all learners.”

Alva Primary is now recognised as a school where communication is at the heart of learning – a place where children feel safe, confident and ready to thrive.