Speech and language in schools programme - Registration now open

The Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) is a programme for children in Reception (4-5 years) which has been found to improve their language and early literacy skills. In this early intervention programme, a member of school staff (usually a teaching assistant or early years educator) delivers three small group sessions and two individual sessions to a targeted group of around 3-6 pupils for 20 weeks.

The Department for Education has provided funding to make NELI available to state-funded schools with Reception pupils at no cost in the coming academic year (2021/22).

Registration is now open to schools who did not receive DfE funded NELI resources in 2020/21*. Schools new to NELI will receive the online training, resources and support needed to deliver the programme to pupils. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with registration closing by 30 July 2021. Onboarding will begin in September 2021 and delivery of the programme to pupils in January 2022.

* They are currently exploring what support may be available for the 6,672 schools who did receive NELI in 2020/21.