Essentials Intervention Overview
At Larwood School, we are proud to offer an exceptional and comprehensive intervention programme designed to meet the diverse and individual needs of every pupil. Our approach is rooted in the SEND Code of Practice, which identifies four broad areas of special educational needs that should be focused on within educational settings:
Four Areas of SEND
Communication and Interaction
Cognition and Learning
Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties
Sensory and Physical Needs
These areas are reflected in every Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for our pupils at Larwood. Our tailored offer of interventions is carefully designed to meet the needs set out in each child’s individualised plan, linked to termly Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycles and progression booklets. Intervention trackers draw on the information in sections B, E, or F of each EHCP to inform the desired outcomes and ensure that every intervention is purposeful, measurable, and impactful.
Daily Essentials: Universal Support for Every Child
We believe that no child should miss out on core classroom learning in order to access intervention. That’s why every pupil at Larwood receives a 30-minute daily intervention in phonics, as well as small group maths and English intervention within the classroom as part of their everyday provision.
This approach, which we call Essentials, ensures that:
All pupils benefit from targeted, high-quality support in the fundamental skills of reading, writing, and numeracy
Interventions are embedded into the school day, not bolted on
Children remain part of their class community and curriculum
Progress is accelerated without children feeling singled out or missing broader learning experiences
Essentials is the foundation of our intervention offer, and it means that every child, every day, is supported to succeed.
Our Comprehensive Intervention Menu
Beyond our daily Essentials provision, we offer a rich and diverse menu of targeted interventions across all four areas of SEND. These are carefully selected and delivered by skilled staff to meet individual and small group needs, and are continuously reviewed for impact.
Communication and Interaction Interventions
Lego Therapy – building social communication, turn-taking, and collaborative problem-solving through play
Animal Assisted Therapy *– supporting communication, confidence, and emotional connection
Speech and Language Therapy – delivered in line with recommendations from our Speech and Language Therapist (SALT)
Phonics – systematic, evidence-based support for early reading and decoding
Cognition and Learning Interventions
Writing intervention – targeted support to develop stamina, structure, spelling, and creativity
Maths intervention – small group or 1:1 work to close gaps and build fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving
Reading intervention – including guided reading, comprehension, and fluency work
Phonics – embedded daily and available as additional support where needed
Sprite – a specialist literacy intervention for older pupils
Gifted and Talented programmes – enrichment and challenge for pupils working at greater depth
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Interventions
Sand Tray Therapy* – a therapeutic, non-verbal intervention supporting emotional expression and processing
Animal Assisted Therapy* – promoting calm, trust, and emotional regulation
Nurture interventions, including:
Cooking – building life skills, sequencing, and positive relationships
CUB – supporting emotional literacy and self-regulation
Breakfast Club – a calm, nurturing start to the day
Thera Play – relationship-based play therapy to build attachment and emotional resilience
Therapy Ponies* – outdoor, animal-based therapeutic support
Welcome to School – a bespoke transition and settling intervention
Buddy Intervention* – peer support and mentoring to build friendships and confidence
Art Intervention – creative expression as a tool for emotional wellbeing
Protective Behaviours – teaching safety, self-advocacy, and resilience
Mental Health Support Team (MHST) – NHS-funded early intervention and therapeutic support
The Butterfly Room – external therapeutic referral for more intensive emotional and mental health needs
Sensory and Physical Needs Interventions
Smart Moves Programme – occupational therapy-informed physical and sensory activities to support regulation and motor skills
Active Start – early morning movement and wake-up activities
Sensory Intervention – tailored sensory circuits and activities to support individual sensory profiles
Brain Gym – movement-based activities to support focus, coordination, and learning readiness
Animal Assisted Therapy* – calming, sensory-rich interaction with animals
Sand Tray* – tactile, sensory exploration supporting emotional and sensory regulation
A Holistic, Child-Centred Approach
At Larwood School, our intervention offer is not a one-size-fits-all model. Every intervention is:
Personalised – matched to the individual needs and targets in each child’s EHCP
Evidence-based – informed by research, best practice, and specialist training
Reviewed regularly – through termly Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycles and ongoing data tracking
Delivered by skilled staff – including teachers, TAs, Family Support Workers, Wellbeing Mentors, Behaviour Support staff, and external specialists
Inclusive and empowering – designed to build confidence, independence, and a sense of achievement
We are committed to ensuring that every child at Larwood receives the right support, at the right time, to help them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Monitoring and Impact
All interventions are tracked using our intervention tracker system, which records:
The child’s starting point and targets
The type and frequency of intervention
Progress and outcomes
Next steps and adjustments
This ensures accountability, allows us to celebrate success, and helps us adapt our provision to continually improve outcomes for every pupil.
Larwood School – Meeting every need, unlocking every potential.
*Only available at Larwood Stevenage