Deaf Resource Base @ Benton Park Primary

The HIARP - resource base for deaf and hard of hearing pupils - is provided by Newcastle City Council and also supports some pupils from neighbouring Local Authorities. Although provision is led by colleagues from Newcastle City Council, pupils and staff are very much part of our school community. Curriculum and learning is adapted - where appropriate - to meet the specific learning and hearing needs of each pupil within the resource base. This is explained within the curriculum map below:

curriculum policy hiarp .pdf

Many of our deaf pupils consider British Sign Language or BSL as their first language. BSL is used across school in lessons and assemblies by deaf staff and pupils. There are also regular opportunities for all pupils to use BSL with their deaf and hearing peers. Five 'core' BSL signs are used throughout school by staff and pupils: Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Thank you, Sit and Finished. You can see these signs modelled by our HIARP pupils and staff below:

/i/video/Good_Morning.mov

/i/video/Good_Afternoon.mov

/i/video/Thank_you.mov

/i/video/Finished.mov

/i/video/Sit.mov

 Further information about staffing and provision

• The HIARP is staffed with two Qualified Teachers of the Deaf and specialist Learning Support Assistants.
• Each pupil within the resource base is included within mainstream classes with appropriate support from HIARP staff. This support includes monitoring the use of audiological equipment and the provision of visual and practical materials to enable access to the curriculum.
• Equipment such as radio aids are provided jointly by Health and Education. Education purchase and maintain the transmitter and Audiology purchase and maintain the receivers. Decisions regarding provision of radio aid equipment are made after a trial of the equipment and assessment of the benefit to the child.  
• Staff provide additional individualised programmes to support the development of communication skills.
• Learning needs may be met through one to one and small group sessions in a quiet environment and may include pre- and post-tutoring to support class based learning.
• HIARP staff liaise closely with subject teachers to ensure that all pupils, who are deaf or hard of hearing, make appropriate progress to achieve their full potential academically and socially.
• Pupils have the opportunity to participate in all areas of school life. As a result, all pupils at the school begin to understand the implications of hearing loss or change. They learn to respect people with a disability and are always willing to help and support their friends whose experience of 'hearing' may be very different to their own.

Contact  Joanne Scott SENSORY PROVISION LEAD

E-mail joanne.scott@newcastle.gov.uk