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School's £10,000 boost for deaf pupils (From Swindon Advertiser)
A PRIMARY school has received a £10,000 grant to help deaf pupils and spread the use of sign language.
There are five deaf children in Red Oaks Primary School in north Swindon, but about half of the school’s 450 pupils know some signs.
The deaf children are able to take part in normal lessons, as a support tutor translates teachers’ words into sign language for them.
“Deaf children can access everything that is going on in class,” said sign bi-lingual inclusion manager Liz Parker.
“We have a can-do attitude at the school. We want to include everyone. Being deaf doesn’t stop you doing anything.”
The school has one year to spend the £10,000 Awards for All National Lottery grant. A sign language choir – where songs are expressed through hands – is one of the projects the money will be spent on.
Sign language theatre, where words and signs are used together, is also being planned.
A part-time sign language tutor teaches non-deaf children and staff sign language every week. Teachers also sign in assembly and the school wants deaf adults to deliver workshops.
Last year 100 children from Key Stage 1 and 2 took part in a sign language club.
“We have so many children who want to carry on learning sign language, but we only had a part-time tutor,” said Miss Parker.
“We want to buy more hours of tutoring so we can have children taking part in sign language at a higher level. The children want to learn because they know there are deaf pupils in the school.
“Occasionally they come across deaf children in the playground. Sign language is also fun. It is visual and hands-on.”
Red Oaks is believed to be the only school that provides specialist provision for deaf children who sign in Swindon.
A PRIMARY school has received a £10,000 grant to help deaf pupils and spread the use of sign language.
There are five deaf children in Red Oaks Primary School in north Swindon, but about half of the school’s 450 pupils know some signs.
The deaf children are able to take part in normal lessons, as a support tutor translates teachers’ words into sign language for them.
“Deaf children can access everything that is going on in class,” said sign bi-lingual inclusion manager Liz Parker.
“We have a can-do attitude at the school. We want to include everyone. Being deaf doesn’t stop you doing anything.”
The school has one year to spend the £10,000 Awards for All National Lottery grant. A sign language choir – where songs are expressed through hands – is one of the projects the money will be spent on.
Sign language theatre, where words and signs are used together, is also being planned.
A part-time sign language tutor teaches non-deaf children and staff sign language every week. Teachers also sign in assembly and the school wants deaf adults to deliver workshops.
Last year 100 children from Key Stage 1 and 2 took part in a sign language club.
“We have so many children who want to carry on learning sign language, but we only had a part-time tutor,” said Miss Parker.
“We want to buy more hours of tutoring so we can have children taking part in sign language at a higher level. The children want to learn because they know there are deaf pupils in the school.
“Occasionally they come across deaf children in the playground. Sign language is also fun. It is visual and hands-on.”
Red Oaks is believed to be the only school that provides specialist provision for deaf children who sign in Swindon.