Occupational Therapy Services at Little Heath School
At Little Heath School, we offer a differentiated curriculum tailored to meet the unique needs of each pupil and to support their Educational, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes and targets.
Central to our approach is the development of Skills for Life and Independence, which is embedded within our Universal Offer. This ensures that all pupils benefit from consistent, high-quality support throughout their time at our school.
Key Areas of Development
Our Universal Offer focuses on:
- Self-help and independence skills
- Personal care schedules and personalised routines
- Specialist and adapted equipment, including cutlery, cups, pens, and writing slopes
How We Support Our Pupils
We integrate occupational therapy strategies and programmes into every aspect of school life. This includes:
- Providing advice and training to school staff, enabling them to effectively implement and embed OT programmes and strategies.
- Supporting life skills development through Independent Living lessons.
- Delivering the Zones of Regulation programme, which helps students understand and manage their emotions, ensuring they remain in a calm and alert state for optimal learning.
- Facilitating sensory circuits—activities designed to help students regulate their sensory systems and prepare for learning by feeling calm, focused, and ready to engage.
- Offering functional problem-solving interventions to teach students how to approach and resolve everyday challenges, from simple to complex.
- Incorporating regular learning breaks into lessons to enhance attention and concentration.
- Promoting gross motor skill development through weekly PE lessons and varied enrichment activities, such as rowing, dance, yoga, and cycling.
- Developing fine motor skills and functional life skills through weekly Food Technology lessons and Art & Design lessons for all year groups.
Training for Staff
To further enhance our support, we provide training on a variety of topics, including:
- Sensory regulation
- Pica and oral motor strategies
- Toilet training
- Independence in dressing and eating
- Postural management and specialist seating
These training sessions are available for teachers, LSAs, and support staff to ensure consistent and informed care for our pupils.
For more information about our Occupational Therapy programme, please contact us at: Occupational_therapy@lheath.net
