Interventions and support

Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion

Interventions are targeted strategies or activities that help children develop specific skills, such as reading, writing, maths, or social skills.

If your child requires specific intervention, their class teacher will contact you. Interventions are delivered by the class teacher or a trained teaching assistant.

All interventions are coordinated by Mrs Casey, the ALN Coordinator. If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s class teacher first.

Interventions available at Ysgol Coed y Gof

2025-2026

Cognition and Learning

Staff
Cognition and Learning Specialist Teacher	Lisa Sarracini
Additional Learning Needs Co-Ordinator	Laura Casey
Champion	Gareth Roberts
	Sarah Du Croq-Slip

Name of intervention	Find out more
Nessy	Nessy is an online program that helps children build their reading, spelling, and writing skills in a fun and interactive way. It uses games, videos, and activities to support children who may find literacy more challenging.
Precision Reading and spelling	A highly focused intervention that helps children improve accuracy and fluency in reading or spelling. It involves short, daily sessions where pupils practise a small set of carefully chosen words or phrases. This structured approach enables children to make rapid progress and gain confidence in their learning.
Maths Factor	Maths Factor is a school programme that gives children extra help with developing their understanding of number in small groups. Staff use short, focused sessions to build confidence and strengthen key maths skills.
Cyfres Deffro	Cyfres Deffro is designed to help children develop early reading and phonics skills through stories and activities. It supports children in learning the sounds and patterns of Welsh, building a strong foundation for reading and writing.

Emotional health and wellbeing

Staff
Emotional health and wellbeing Specialist Teacher	Gareth Jones
Additional Learning Needs Co-Ordinator	Laura Casey
Wellbeing Co-Ordinators	Laura Casey/Aimee Meyer
Champion	Cerys Isaacs

Name of intervention	Find out more
Talkabout	Talkabout is a structured programme that helps children develop important social and communication skills. Through group activities, they learn about turn-taking, listening, body language, and building positive friendships. Talkabout
ELSA	ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) ELSA sessions are run by specially trained school staff to support children with their emotional wellbeing. Sessions focus on areas such as understanding feelings, managing anxiety, coping with loss or change, and building confidence and resilience. ELSA
Play Therapy	Play Therapy provides children with a safe space to express their feelings and experiences through play. A trained therapist uses toys, games, and creative activities to help children process emotions, overcome difficulties, and develop healthy coping strategies.
Music Therapy	Music Therapy uses music-making, singing, and listening activities to support children’s emotional, social, and communication development. It can help reduce stress, improve their mood, and provide another way for children to express themselves.
Colour Monster	Colour Monsters is a programme that helps children understand and manage their emotions. Using a story about a monster whose emotions are represented by different colours, children learn to identify, express, and regulate their feelings in a safe and engaging way.
Zones of Regulation	Zones of Regulation is a programme that helps children recognise and manage their emotions and behaviour. Using a system of colour-coded “zones,” children learn strategies to stay in control, regulate their feelings, and respond appropriately in different situations.

Communication and Interaction

Staff
Speech, Language and Communication Specialist Teacher	Sarah Smitham
Autism Support Team Specialist Teacher	Bethan Jones
Additional Learning Needs Co-Ordinator	Laura Casey
Champion	Jess Jakab
	Hayley Rees

Name of intervention	Find out more
Wellcomm	WellComm is a speech and language toolkit that helps identify children who may need extra support with their communication skills. Staff use fun activities and games to develop listening, understanding, and speaking in everyday situations. Wellcomm
POPAT	POPAT (Perception of Phoneme Awareness Training) POPAT is a structured programme that helps children hear and recognise the individual sounds (phonemes) in words. This builds a strong foundation for reading, spelling, and early literacy. POPAT
Sioni’n Siarad	Sioni’n Siarad is a Welsh-language programme that supports children’s early speech and language development. Through songs, rhymes, and activities, it helps children learn sounds, words, and simple sentences in Welsh.
Language Link	Language Link is an assessment and support programme that helps schools identify children who may struggle with understanding spoken language. It also provides fun activities to build listening, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. Language Link
Speech Link	Speech Link is a programme that helps identify children who have difficulties with speech sounds. It provides resources and activities to support children in producing sounds correctly, which improves their clarity and confidence in speaking. SpeechLink
ELKLAN	ELKLAN is a programme that supports children with speech, language, and communication difficulties. Trained staff use structured activities and games to help children develop listening, understanding, and speaking skills, improving their confidence in everyday communication. ELKLAN
LEGO Therapy	Lego® Therapy helps children strengthen communication and social interaction by working together in small groups with assigned roles like builder, engineer, and supplier. Through this structured play, kids learn to express themselves clearly, listen to others, and collaborate—building not just models, but friendships, confidence, and key life skills. Lego Therapy

Sensory and Physical

Staff
Visual Impairment Specialist Teacher	Owain Rogers
Specialist Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People & Educational Audiologist	Sam Green
Additional Learning Needs Co-Ordinator	Laura Casey
Champion	Jess Murphy

Name of intervention	Find out more
Handwriting Motorway	Handwriting Motorway is a programme to help children develop the skills needed for writing, such as hand strength, coordination, and control. It uses fun, structured activities to build confidence and make writing easier and more fluent.
Sensory Stories	Sensory Stories use touch, movement, sound, and visual elements alongside storytelling to engage children’s senses. They support communication, attention, imagination, and emotional development.
Sensory Circuits	Sensory Circuits are short, structured physical activities designed to help children regulate their energy and attention. They improve balance, coordination, motor skills, and readiness to learn.