SEVEN schools across the Whitby and Scarborough areas have taken part in a trailblazing speech and language initiative that accelerated pupil progress and increased academic performance.

Working across clusters of primary schools, A Chance to Talk resulted in an average 50 per cent increase in progress in reading skills.

Children with delayed language (upwards of 50 per cent of children in socially deprived areas) made on average between nine and 18 months progress in language development with a 10-week catch up intervention.

For schools in North Yorkshire, children made good progress with their speech, language and communication skills particularly children with delayed language development.

For children with long term and persistent speech, language and communication needs the initiative provided a new model of utilising speech and language therapists expertise in schools.

One hundred per cent of parents were highly satisfied with this service and head teachers reported the model was effective and value for money.

A Chance to Talk involved nationally over 8,000 pupils across 30 schools.

The findings have been welcomed by Edward Timpson, Minister for Children and Families and Jean Gross, formerly the Government's Communication Champion for children. She is backing it as an effective model of commissioning speech and language support for children in primary schools.

Further information is available from www.ican.org.uk/achancetotalk