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Language & Communication
Language and Communication
Child-centred approach
We aim to meet the needs of deaf children with a wide range of hearing loss and who use spoken language and/or British Sign Language from pre-school to post-16. They may have some additional special educational need that affects their learning. They may be working at below the average levels for hearing children. Through individually tailored appropriate support, they have access to a broad and balanced curriculum within an acoustically treated, multi-sensory learning environment. Pupils make good progress and staff work as a team and have high expectations of pupils.
The added value the school is making to pupils' progress is excellent, and places the school in the top five percent of schools nationally.
(Ofsted report, November 2006)
English and British Sign Language
Blanche Nevile School has a Sign bilingual-bicultural philosophy. This means that within the learning community, British Sign Language and English are given equal status and are both taught as a language, and both are used to deliver the curriculum. We believe in the importance of a strong deaf peer group for every child and provide opportunities to learn about deaf culture, in order for them to develop their own identity and self esteem.
Some children, who have well-developed oral skills, will receive their education through spoken English. Sometimes some sign may be used to support the spoken word. Others, who are dominant in British Sign Language, will receive most of their education through BSL. All children access and develop both languages. They all have opportunities to develop their spoken language skills through carefully tailored sessions.
Every child in the school also has opportunities to study and use British Sign Language, as we believe it is of benefit to all deaf children. As well as supporting their overall language acquisition, BSL allows all deaf children and adults to communicate easily with each other and forms part of a Deaf identity. We want our children to be comfortable in both the hearing and Deaf communities.
