Deaf pupils 'face postcode lottery'

[Miss-Delectable]

The Press Association: Deaf pupils 'face postcode lottery'

Deaf children are subjected to a postcode lottery when it comes to specialist educational support, according to research.

Some are unfairly disadvantaged by a lack of access to specially-trained staff in school, the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) study found.

This can lead to poor exam results, with deaf children less likely to achieve good GCSEs. The survey, called Hands up for Help, found 71% of them failed to reach grades A* to C.

Visiting specialists called Teachers of the Deaf help school-age and pre-school children, but the amount of support varies across England and even between boroughs of the same city.

The highest ratio recorded by the NDCS was 142 children to each teacher, in the south east London borough of Bexley.

The lowest ratio, of six to one, was also found in London. The NDCS would not name the areas with the lowest ratios, however, fearing those local authorities could cut their budgets as a result.

The Government has now been urged to give deaf children equal access to help.

Brian Gale, director of policy and campaigns at NDCS, said: "It is unacceptable that deaf children are missing out on vital support at school because of where they live. Deafness is not a learning disability yet too many deaf children are failing at school."

The report recommends the Government takes steps to make sure there is adequate funding for deaf children to be supported in schools, and to demand local authorities publish information on the services they have available.

Parents say the discrepancies have to be addressed if deaf children are to reach their full potential.

 

[deafdyke]

Yet another reason why mainstreaming JUST doesn't work. Hearing schools and classes can be HUGE. Dhh kids are lost in the crowd.

 

[Miss-Delectable]

Schools ‘are failing London's deaf children’

Schools ‘are failing London's deaf children’ | News

Schools and local authorities in London are failing to provide sufficient teachers for deaf pupils, a damning report revealed today.

New research found deaf pupils do not have adequate access to specialist teachers, some of whom have charge of more than 140 children.

The findings from the National Deaf Children's Society also show a widening gap in educational attainment between deaf children and other pupils.

The charity called for more investment in specialist teachers of the deaf, who visit schools and help pupils, as well as check acoustics in classrooms and provide schools with equipment to help children hear lessons better.

In Bexley these teachers must look after 143 deaf pupils each — the highest teacher-pupil ratio in the country. Hillingdon has the second worst ratio in the country, with 132 children per teacher, while Ealing, Sutton and Barnet also feature among the 10 worst local authorities.

Brian Gale, the society's director of policy and campaigns, said: “It is unacceptable that deaf children are missing out on vital support at school because of where they live. Deafness is not a learning disability yet too many deaf children are failing at school.

"The Government must take urgent action to close the gap and end this pattern of unfairness and failure for deaf children. We are calling on the Government to ensure equal access to specialist support for deaf children, so that they have a fair chance to achieve at school, no matter where they live.”

The report states that teachers of the deaf train mainstream teachers on the needs of deaf children and how to use hearing technology, as well as providing one-to-one teaching support to children.

A poll of deaf students found that 94 per cent find it easier to do well at school when they get specialist support; 60 per cent of those polled said they do not get enough support.

The best teacher-pupil ratio in the country is six pupils to one teacher. The society would not release the name of the local authority with the best score for fear that services there could be cut to save money.

'MY GIRL NEEDS MORE SUPPORT IN CLASSROOM'

Sanita Patel wants more help for her seven-year-old daughter.

Deeya, left, wears digital hearing aids in both ears and has moderate hearing loss which can become severe in the winter.

Mrs Patel, 39, from Hillingdon, said her daughter does not get enough one-to-one help at school. She attends a mainstream primary, which she did not want to name.

Mrs Patel added: “When my daughter has more support she does better at school. There should be more investment in teachers for the deaf. The ones I know have a big portfolio of children to look after.

“Teachers of the deaf provide essential help for deaf children, their families and schools but they need additional resources to ensure every child is monitored closely, especially during the vital early years.”