Deaf Support Facility

Welcome to the 'DSF'

Our DSF department have created a video to promote Deaf Awareness Week.

click here to view.....

A key feature of the school is the Deaf Support Facility, a highly successful provision for deaf children. Willingdon is one of only two Primary Schools within East Sussex that have this provision. The Facility is part of the Isend Sensory Needs Service.

The Deaf Support Facility is an integral part of the school and the children are included in all aspects of school life. The Facility offers specialist support to children with a severe to profound hearing loss. Each child is firstly a member of their mainstream class and they spend some time in the facility for specific individual and group work. The percentage of time in each situation will vary, but the aim is to equip pupils with the skills to learn alongside their peers in the classroom. The additional support the children receive may be Speech and Language Therapy, Literacy, Numeracy, PSHE or support in other areas of the curriculum.

The Facility uses a Total Communication approach. That is to say, a variety of communication methods are used appropriate to the individual child. This encompasses oralism, lip reading, Signed English, Sign Supported English (SSE) and British Sign Language (BSL). The choice depends on the context and on the particular pupils involved.

The acceptance of deaf pupils using sign communication in mainstream schools involves the development of a positive culture in which sign language is valued and welcomed. All assemblies are sign interpreted by DSF staff and notices and information around the school include sign graphics.

The school fosters a positive attitude to deafness and deaf issues. It is a philosophy that celebrates diversity, gives each and every member a valued role and enriches the lives of everyone in the school.

We run a signing club for Key Stage 1&2 children and staff to attend and promote positive communication throughout the school.