Makaton at WHS School and Sixth Form – Communicating Without Barriers

At William Henry Smith School and Sixth Form, communication is at the heart of everything we do. We believe every child and young person deserves to be understood, to express themselves with confidence and to build meaningful relationships. That's why Makaton plays such an important role across our community.

We are proud to hold Makaton Friendly Status, recognising our commitment to embedding Makaton into everyday life. From classrooms and therapy sessions to breaktimes and whole-school events, staff use signs and symbols to support understanding, encourage independence and create an environment where every learner can communicate in the way that works best for them.

Our commitment doesn't stop with our staff. Throughout the year we share a video Makaton Sign of the Week, helping students, families and colleagues continue learning together. This dedicated playlist on our YouTube channel, makes it easy for anyone to practise signs at home.

Sharing Our Expertise

As well as using Makaton throughout School, we are also proud to deliver official Makaton training on behalf of the Foundation, helping professionals and organisations develop the skills and confidence to communicate more effectively with children and young people.

Recently we welcomed colleagues and external delegates to our School for a Level 1 Makaton Workshop – the first time we have hosted external participants alongside our own staff.

It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase not only the quality of our training, but also the welcoming, inclusive culture that makes us so special.

The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with visiting professionals commenting on the warm welcome they received and expressing interest in progressing to further Makaton levels and bespoke training for their own settings.

Training delivered by our experienced team helps schools, organisations and professionals build confidence in using Makaton in everyday situations, creating more inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to communicate successfully.

More than just learning

Makaton is about much more than learning vocabulary. It is about building relationships, reducing frustration, increasing confidence and giving people a voice. By combining speech, signs and symbols, Makaton supports understanding and enables more meaningful interactions for many children and young people.

For our students, this means greater independence and participation in school life. For families, it offers another way to connect and communicate. For professionals, it provides practical tools that can make a lasting difference.

Learn with us

Whether you're a parent wanting to learn alongside your child, a professional looking to develop your communication skills, or a school interested in bespoke Makaton training, we'd love to hear from you.

In the meantime, why not explore our Makaton Sign of the Week playlist on YouTube.