English & Communication

Communication 

At Baskerville School, the development of communication is a core priority within every curriculum pathway. We recognise that effective communication is fundamental to learning, independence, wellbeing and preparation for adulthood. Communication is therefore explicitly taught, practised and embedded across all subjects and learning experiences, with approaches tailored to meet the needs of students within the Discoverer, Explorer and Voyager pathways. 

Students are supported to develop a range of communication skills, including attention and listening, understanding, expressive language, social interaction, conversation, self-advocacy and purposeful communication. This may be achieved through spoken language, AAC systems, symbols, objects of reference, visual supports, assistive technology, signing, gesture and other personalised communication approaches. 

Within the Discoverer Pathway, the focus is on developing intentional communication, engagement, interaction and the ability to express choices, preferences and needs. In the Explorer Pathway, students build functional communication skills, extending their understanding and use of language across different contexts while developing confidence in expressing ideas, opinions and requests. Within the Voyager Pathway, students are supported to become increasingly independent communicators, applying speaking, listening, discussion and presentation skills to a range of academic, social and real-world situations. 

Communication targets are integrated throughout the curriculum and are reinforced through meaningful opportunities for collaboration, discussion, problem-solving and reflection. This ensures that all students develop the communication skills needed to access learning, build positive relationships, participate in their communities and prepare successfully for their next stage of education, employment and adult life. 

The PICC Approach to English 

At Baskerville School, English is taught through the PICC approach, a structured and engaging framework that supports students to develop their reading, communication and writing skills through high-quality texts and meaningful learning experiences. PICC stands for Predict, Interrogate, Capture and Create, providing a clear sequence that enables students to build understanding, develop vocabulary and apply their learning independently. 

Through the Predict stage, students are introduced to a text through carefully planned stimuli, encouraging curiosity, discussion and prediction. During Interrogate, students explore the text in depth, developing comprehension, questioning skills and an understanding of language, themes and author intent. In the Capture phase, students collect and practise key vocabulary, sentence structures and literary features through modelling, discussion and scaffolded activities. Finally, in Create, students apply their learning to produce their own purposeful outcomes, which may include written work, presentations, performances or other forms of communication appropriate to their pathway and individual needs

To support a rich and progressive English curriculum, a Reading Spine has been carefully developed across the Discoverer, Explorer and Voyager pathways. The Reading Spine ensures that students encounter a broad and balanced range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry throughout Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Texts have been selected to reflect diverse voices, experiences and perspectives while promoting vocabulary development, cultural capital, knowledge acquisition and a love of reading. The Reading Spine provides clear progression within and across pathways, ensuring that students revisit key themes, genres and concepts whilst accessing age-appropriate, engaging and ambitious texts tailored to their individual needs and abilities. 

The PICC approach, alongside the Reading Spine, ensures that learning is carefully sequenced, vocabulary-rich and accessible to all learners. Together, they provide a coherent framework for developing confident readers, effective communicators and successful writers, enabling every student to make meaningful progress and achieve their individual potential. 

Discovery Reading Spine.

Explorers Reading Spine.

Voyagers Reading Spine.