Inclusive Mainstream Funding (IMF)
Supporting Communication, Language and Literacy
As Inclusive Mainstream Funding is introduced, schools are expected to identify needs early, deliver targeted support and demonstrate measurable impact.
Communication, language and literacy difficulties are among the most common barriers to learning. Addressing these needs early improves access to the curriculum, supports wellbeing and reduces the likelihood of more complex needs developing over time.
A whole-school pathway for inclusion
Talk Stars and Literacy Gold help schools to:
- Identify speech, language, communication and literacy needs early through easy to use screeners
- Equip teachers with practical classroom strategies
- Monitor progress and demonstrate measurable impact
- Improve language, reading, spelling and literacy outcomes
- Collaborate with families
- Build a consistent, whole-school approach that aligns with Inclusive Mainstream Funding expectations
By investing in both Talk Stars and Literacy Gold, schools can use IMF to strengthen inclusive practice from the very start of a child's education through to successful literacy development.
Inclusive Mainstream Funding (IMF) and Literacy Gold
Literacy Gold provides an evidence-based approach to help schools meet the DfE's seven inclusion priorities.
Talk Stars – the EYFS program - focuses on developing the essential speech, language and communication skills that underpin all pre-phonics, early literacy skills, while Literacy Gold builds on these foundations by supporting pupils with literacy difficulties, including dyslexia and other barriers to reading, spelling and writing.
By combining early language development with targeted literacy intervention, schools can create a seamless journey that reduces obstacles to learning, improves outcomes and ensures more pupils can thrive within mainstream education.
1. Leadership and governance
Talk Stars and Literacy Gold embeds inclusion into planning and strategy, enabling school leaders to take a strategic, evidence-informed approach to inclusion by providing a joined-up pathway from Early Years language development through to literacy intervention.
2. Early intervention and evidence-based support
Talk Stars supports early identification by.
- Identifying speech, language and communication needs during the Early Years
- Delivering structured, evidence-based language interventions
- Developing communication and pre-phonics skills that underpin later literacy and learning
Literacy Gold builds on this by:
- Identifying literacy difficulties through simple assessments
- Delivering personalised interventions for reading, spelling and literacy
- Tracking progress through ongoing assessment and adaptive learning
Together they provide a continuous route from language development to literacy.
3. High-quality teaching and curriculum for all
Strong communication and literacy skills are essential for accessing the curriculum.
Unlimited training from the Literacy Gold team builds staff capacity and confidence in using adaptive classroom strategies that enables pupils to access the curriculum.
4. Provision beyond the classroom
Talk Stars supports children's communication during everyday interactions, play-based learning and wider Early Years provision.
Improved literacy helps children participate fully in all aspects of life.
5. Culture, belonging and wellbeing
Improving speech, language and literacy can significantly increase participation, confidence, behaviour and wellbeing.
6. Partnerships with families and services
Parents can support their child to use Talk Stars and Literacy Gold at home, allowing them to understand the skills needed and progress being made.
7. Inclusive environments and accessibility
Literacy Gold supports inclusive classrooms by creating personalised support for pupils with speech, language and literacy difficulties, including dyslexia.