One in five primary and secondary aged children are estimated to be behind with their talking and understanding of words, a new survey by a charity suggests.
Speech and Language UK says this is the highest number of children with speech and language challenges ever recorded.
The report, based on a survey of teachers, also found that:
• 80% of teachers think children in their classroom are behind with their talking and/or understanding of words
• 73% of teachers surveyed think that children's speech and language is not prioritised by the government
• 53% of teachers don't believe they have enough training to support pupils' speech and language in the classroom
The charity's chief executive, Jane Harris, said: "That really shows us that what schools, nurseries, the government are doing at the moment isn't enough to help children to have the futures they deserve."
