About this class
We provide inclusive education for up to eighteen children within the Centre from Nursery up to Year 6. We have a "Total Communication Approach" which means we use and teach BSL, SSE and English dependent on the needs of each individual practise. The children have equal access to a broad curriculum and learn alongside their peers with in-class support or small/individual group sessions, depending on their individual needs. This specialised support is agreed and planned as a result of close working relationships with class teachers. Support and advice is given to the families of the pupils and to the mainstream staff who teach them.
Meet the team
Mrs Debbie Baker
Class gallery
Audiology
We fully support children with a wide range of audiological equipment and work closely with the local audiology department. The children are provided with radio aids to provide direct input from their teacher by cutting down on background noise. The children are encouraged to develop independence in taking care of their listening equipment. If there are any concerns regarding children’s equipment, staff will inform parents and contact the relevant hospital if appropriate.
The majority of deaf children hear well with their aids, but need to learn to listen. Correct use and maintenance of hearing aid equipment is central to our practise, as is the use of techniques to support children in developing good spoken language skills.
SoundField Systems
In order to achieve the optimum listening environment, all of our classrooms are acoustically treated to minimise reverberation and resonance (including carpets, blinds, low ceiling tiles) and are fitted with digital Sound field Systems (surround sound amplification). This helps all the children in school hear the teacher and one another more clearly. The hall system is used throughout the day for P.E., Dance, Drama and assembly sessions. We also rebroadcast to hearing aids; providing equal access for our DEC children.
British Sign Language
Most children benefit from the use of sign support or sign language. Some of our deaf children have British Sign language (BSL) as their first language and are fully supported to access lessons with highly trained staff. We encourage all deaf children to learn BSL and have weekly BSL lessons. Lunchtime signing clubs are offered to every child at EVPS to ensure communication for all and this is very popular. Signed concerts are performed to the whole school, families and to community groups. We work closely with BSL tutors to enable families to learn too.
Cued Speech
Cued Speech is used as a visual aid to spoken English and enables deaf children to understand and identify all of the speech sounds. Cued Speech is a tool to support children’s learning of phonics as a pathway to becoming skilled readers and writers. Children are taught Cued Speech by specialist teachers in the DEC and our results are astounding! We work closely with the Cued Speech association to enable parents and families to learn too.
Teaching and Learning
Our pupils are fully included into school life. They are supported in class by an experienced team of specialist teaching assistants in order to facilitate access to the curriculum. Qualified Teachers of the Deaf also support the children, either in class or delivering 1:1 and small group teaching within the Deaf Education Centre. We work closely with the on-site specialist Speech & Language Therapist, and we have recently trained our own Audiology Technician.
The Teachers of the Deaf ensure that all staff at Eggbuckland Vale are trained in deaf friendly teaching strategies and the use of equipment that improves the listening environment for these children. They also ensure that all members of the school community have up to date deaf awareness training to ensure the full inclusion of the deaf children.
Teachers of the Deaf will carry out assessments with children to ensure that the specific needs of each child are identified and that the provision is appropriate. Provision of the children is monitored regularly to ensure that it is impactful. Teachers of the Deaf carry out pre-and post-teaching, literacy, numeracy, comprehension groups and/or specific interventions according to the needs of the child. All sessions are either on a one to one basis or in small groups.