What can our Deaf Resource Bases (DRBs) offer Deaf children?

• Specialist staff who have a good knowledge and understanding of the development and research in the field of Deaf education
• Staff with high level communication skills e.g. signing
• Regular teaching from a qualified Teacher of the Deaf
• Small group teaching as appropriate
• Specialist support whilst in some mainstream classes
• Specialist auditory training and speech and language development.
• Advice and support from the Children’s Services Virtual School for Sensory Support.
• A deaf peer group
• Appropriate amplification
• Whole school supportive ethos with BSL on the curriculum for all children in Year 2 and Year 3 and signing used and seen throughout the school
• Mainstream staff who have experience of deaf children in their class
• Deaf adult role models
• A Deaf Studies curriculum
• Access to Deaf culture and the Deaf community
• Home to school transport, as appropriate
• Cross campus inclusion opportunities to meet older and younger Deaf children.

What is the referral process?

• Parents and carers will always be involved in discussions and agree to any referral and subsequent placement at a DRB
• A placement at a DRB means the child moves onto the roll of the school.
• If you think that a DRB placement is appropriate for your child, please discuss this with your child’s Teacher of the Deaf.
• During the pre-referral stage you may consider arranging a visit to the DRB- we would be very happy to see you, simply phone our school office
• Referrals and admissions to bases are managed by a county wide admission process including termly admission meetings