Government succeeds in securing financial backing for language assistance program following its trial's triumph
In a groundbreaking move, the Government of Jersey has announced its commitment to expand a pilot initiative that aims to improve communication and language development in schools. The project, which was initially funded by the Jersey Community Foundation, has shown significant success in increasing the number of children achieving age-appropriate language levels.
The pilot, launched by charity Every Child Our Future, placed experienced speech and language therapists directly into nursery and early years classrooms. This innovative approach, which has been hailed as a collaboration between charities, government, and educators, has proven to be a game-changer. In one setting, the number of children achieving age-appropriate language levels rose from under 50% to an impressive 90% in just two academic years.
The Jersey Community Foundation views this as an example of how they can work with donors to address grass-roots issues and make real change. Anna Terry, CEO of Jersey Community Foundation, is proud to have supported this work and seen it grow. She said, "The success of the pilot demonstrates what can happen when different sectors come together to try something new."
The Government of Jersey's funding will be used to expand the model across the island. Cris Lakeman, CEO of Every Child Our Future and a former headteacher, is optimistic about the future. He stated, "The objective is to ensure every child, regardless of their language profile and start in life, has the support they need to thrive."
The expansion of the model aims to equip educators with the tools to support communication and language development in schools. This will not only improve communication and language outcomes for all children but also set a strong foundation for literacy development.
The Government of Jersey's continued and sustained investment in this model will allow it to evolve and embed, ensuring its long-term success. This expansion is a significant step towards ensuring every child in Jersey has the best possible start in life.
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