We currently have some teaching assistant vacancies – please see our job advert HERE
Who are we?
What do we do?
What communication modes do we use?
How do we work with Speech and Language Therapy?
What does inclusion look like?
How do we support children with technology?
How do we help the school?
What do our families say about the DSC?
How do we decide which children will benefit from the DSC?
Who are we?
The Deaf Support Centre (DSC) is a specialist resource provision for D/deaf children from across Cambridgeshire. We have a Qualified Teacher of the Deaf and a team of Deaf Specialist Teaching Assistants (DSTAs) based in the school to provide support for D/deaf children. Children/young people who attend the DSC are members of the mainstream school and participate fully in school life, including school assemblies, productions, and educational visits. C/yp are supported to be included in mainstream lessons whenever appropriate.
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What do we do?
Our aim is to ensure that all D/deaf children/young people develop effective communication skills so that they reach their potential in all aspects of school life. Our child centred approach means support may look different for each child in the provision and they will have a bespoke programme to meet their needs. We deliver and evaluate specialist language development interventions. We aim for children to be independent learners who are confident in their chosen communication.
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What communication modes do we use?
We have a child driven approach to communication. We support the communication modes that meet the needs of the children. Children are taught using spoken English, BSL, Signed Supported English and using Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) symbols in the combination that works for them. This can change over time and we work closely with families and other professionals to support this.
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How do we work with Speech and Language Therapy?
We work jointly with SALTs from Health to identify targets and interventions for each child. In addition to SALT interventions, spoken language development is a core part of the work delivered by all DSC staff.
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What does inclusion look like?
Deaf pupils are included in their mainstream class with their peers as much as possible, supported by the DSTAs. Each DSC child has a bespoke timetable to allow for interventions and specialist teaching to meet their D/deaf needs. This includes a focus on independence, preparation for adulthood and their social and emotional wellbeing. The policy and ethos of inclusion and access reflects the aims and philosophy of the school and Sensory Support Team. Where their learning needs are better met outside the classroom, the Deaf Support Centre provides a quiet environment and a base for resources where deaf children can learn and consolidate their learning either individually or as part of a small group.
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How do we support children with technology?
We maximise the use of personal hearing technology, supporting children to become confident and independent in their use of appropriate amplification. We liaise closely with the Emmeline Implant Centre. We support children and staff to manage the use of Personal Wireless Systems and all classes in the school have a Soundfield system. We aim to provide an enhanced listening environment by modifying our learning environments where possible.
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How do we help the school?
We promote Deaf awareness across the school, provide training and support for school staff, advising on inclusive teaching strategies and resources that enable deaf children to achieve alongside their peers. We hope that in doing this we also provide for the learning needs of many other children within the school. Innovative teaching strategies such as Visual Phonics by Hand are part of our whole school approach to phonics and benefit all children.
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How do we decide which children will benefit from the DSC?
We use the guidelines found HERE. Typically the provision caters for children with bilateral severe to profound hearing level and associated language delay as their primary need. School transport is available for children who do not live locally to the school.
If you are the parent of a deaf child and would like more information about the Deaf Support Centre you should contact your Teacher of the Deaf or Cambridgeshire Sensory Support Team on 01480 373434. Parents interested in visiting the Deaf Support Centre and the school should contact the School Office on 01223 712127.
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What do our families say about the DSC?
Making the decision to send our daughter to Mayfield Primary School, Deaf Support Centre has been the second best decision we have ever made (our daughter being implanted being the first best decision). The centre has played such an important part of our daughter’s education and progress in many ways.
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