Early Intervention should be the basis of a school’s intervention strategy – this requires the school to complete on-going assessments Nursery, Reception and Year 1 and to track children’s progress. It is recommended that the number of intervention programmes are limited, in order to ensure the programmes are of a high quality, well managed and have an impact on attainment.
Wave 1 – Inclusive whole class teaching refers to high-quality teaching that is designed for all pupils in the classroom. It is the first level of support and should meet the needs of the majority of children without the need for additional interventions.
It includes:
- Adapted teaching for all learners (sometimes called adaptive teaching), where lessons are planned to suit a range of abilities, learning styles, and needs
- Clear explanations, modelling and scaffolding to support understanding
- High expectations for every pupil, including those with SEND
- Use of a variety of strategies and resources, such as visual aids, practical activities, and structured tasks
- Ongoing assessment and responsive teaching, where teachers adjust their approach based on how well pupils are learning
- Inclusive classroom environments, where all pupils feel valued, supported and able to participate
In simple terms, Wave 1 is about getting everyday teaching right so that as many children as possible can succeed without needing extra support.
Wave 2 – Targeted Provision refers to additional support that is provided for pupils who are not making expected progress through Wave 1 (inclusive whole-class teaching) alone.
It is extra, time-limited support designed to help pupils catch up or address specific needs.
This includes:
- Small group interventions focused on particular skills (e.g. phonics, reading, maths, speech and language)
- Structured programmes or targeted activities linked to classroom learning
- Additional teacher or teaching assistant support within or outside the classroom
- Clear goals and regular monitoring to track progress and impact
- Short-term, focused support aimed at helping pupils return to learning successfully alongside their peers
In simple terms, Wave 2 is for pupils who need a little extra help beyond high-quality teaching, but not highly specialised or individualised support.
Wave 3 – Higher Needs Provision refers to specialised, intensive support for pupils with significant or complex needs who are not making sufficient progress with Wave 1 (whole-class teaching) and Wave 2 (targeted support).
This level of provision is highly individualised and often involves specialist input.
It includes:
- 1:1 or very small group support tailored to the pupil’s specific needs
- Personalised learning plans with clearly defined targets
- Specialist interventions or programmes (e.g. for cognition and learning, communication, SEMH, or physical needs)
- Involvement of external professionals, such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, or SEND specialists
- Adapted resources, environments or timetables to support access to learning
- Regular review and detailed monitoring of progress and provision
In simple terms, Wave 3 is for pupils who need more intensive, individual support and possibly specialist involvement to help them achieve and access school successfully.
Waves of Intervention