ABSTRACT
The authors in consultation with the whole school staff were able to define a series of important principles which they considered underpinned the philosophy of their work and which linked to all the documentation which subsequently developed. A statement of these principles is as follows:
Every pupil has a fundamental right to be able to communicate.
Every pupil has the right to develop his or her ability to communicate, at whatever level, and to be given the opportunity to respond to and control his or her environment.
Every pupil should be enabled to access all channels of communication at every opportunity for effective communication.
Every pupil should be given time to make his or her own individual response.
Every pupil has the right to be positioned correctly and comfortably in order for learning to take place.
Every pupil has the right to be treated with dignity, courtesy and privacy and due regard should be given to his or her wishes where appropriate.
Every pupil should be encouraged to achieve a level of independence through graduated stages, however small these stages may be. Relevant and appropriate praise and reward and the celebration of achievement play a vital role in the successful learning process.
Every pupil has the right to an effective partnership between home and school.
Every pupil has the right to a supportive caring atmosphere that promotes success and acknowledges that we can learn from our mistakes.
Every pupil has the right to age-appropriate activities, bearing in mind that within any learning situation it is necessary to have due regard to the developmental level of each pupil.
Every pupil has the right to equality of opportunity.
