Deaf Support Centre (DSC)

The Support Centre opened in 1997. There are now over 20 deaf students, within Year 7 to 11. Formal procedures for admission are undertaken by the local authority in consultation with the school. The deaf students are placed in main school tutor groups alongside their hearing peers. They are taught by the school’s subject teachers, working in the main classes, for the majority of the time. The specialist staff provide support, working alongside teaching staff, to ensure that the needs of the deaf students are taken into account. Some of the students communicate using British Sign Language (BSL) and so signed communication support is provided. Though the deaf students work in the main classes for most of the time, some lessons take place in the Support Centre itself. The DSC rooms are used for specialist teaching, audiology and speech and language therapy.

The school strives to promote Deaf Awareness within the school community.

BSL Level 1 and 2 is taught in KS4 as a GCSE option subject. This is delivered by a Deaf Instructor.

More detailed information relevant for families with deaf students, is available from Elizabeth Squires or Jane Newman, Leads of the Deaf Support Centre.