Luton Elklan course

Communication Champion teams

A Communication Champion team is the group of trained Communication Champions. Communication Champion teams are used in school settings.

Schools who have not yet completed the course must send:

• a SENCo or member of senior leadership
• 2 other staff members, ideally a teacher and teaching assistant

All staff must attend all days of training.

We encourage schools who already have Communication Champions to grow your team and replace any champions who have left your school.

For schools with over 100 pupils we recommend that there are at least 3 Communication Champions in a team. This will usually be a SENDCo, a teacher and teaching assistant. 

For schools with less 100 pupils, you may have a smaller Communication Champion team. 

Schools with a Communication Champion team can apply for the Communication Friendly Award. 

Training

Become a Communication Champion by attending one of our Communication Champion training courses. The training you do as a Communication Champion will contribute towards your continuing personal development (CPD).

The course is delivered by a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and a SENS Advisor. You will be provided with course materials.

• The training is delivered through 10 modules, completed over an 11-week period.
• Each week, learners complete an online e-Learning session and prepare for the upcoming virtual webinar. This can be done at a time that best suits the learner.
• Learners then participate in a weekly virtual webinar which is held on a set day and time each week. The webinar is hosted on MS Teams; you will require access to a device with a camera and microphone in order to participate.
• Learners then need to plan and implement knowledge and strategies learnt that week in order to complete a weekly online e-Learning Log. This can be done at a time that best suits the learner. Upon passing their Learning Log, learners will gain accreditation at Level 2 or Level 3.
• Learners will be required to commit to completing, attending, and participating in all aspects of the virtual training
• Learners should expect to set aside up to 4½ hours per week to complete the training

Further information:

The training is provided at a subsidised rate to Luton mainstream schools. There are associated fees:

• Accreditation and certificate: £75.50 per learner
• Optional hard copies of ‘Language Builders’ book: £15 each (plus P&P) if bought during the course

There are occasions when learners are unable to attend training for various reasons, however, cancellation and non-attendance charges will apply. For any cancellation or change of learner you must:

• Obtain agreement from your Senior Leadership Team
• Email elklanbookings@luton.gov.uk ASAP

A fee of £161 per learner will apply to all non-attendance or cancellation with less than 14 days’ notice of the course start date. There is no charge if notice of more than 14 days is given. Schools may nominate a substitute learner up to five working days before the ‘Meet and Greet’ session without penalty.

Dates and booking information for Spring 2025/2026 

Spring Term 2026

You will need to be able to attend all the sessions in a cohort. 

5-11s course 14.00 - 15.00 pm on Monday

• Meet & Greet 12th January
• Weekly webinars on 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 02 Feb, 09 Feb, 23 Feb, 02 Mar, 09 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 20 Apr

5-11s course 14.00 - 15.00 pm on Wednesdays

• Meet & Greet 14th January
• Weekly webinars on 21 Jan, 28 Jan, 04 Feb, 11 Feb, 25 Feb, 04 Mar, 11 Mar, 18 Mar, 25 Mar, 22 Apr

11-16s course 15.00 - 16.00 pm on Tuesdays

• Meet & Greet 13th January
• Weekly webinars on 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 03 Feb, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 03 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar, 21 Apr

To register

Identify your Communication Champion team, then send an email to elklanbookings@luton.gov.uk with the name of the three Communication Champions, their roles and email addresses, and the preferred cohort. Priority will be given to those schools who submit the details for three appropriate Communication Champions.