Our Enhanced Resource Facility For Deaf children

Enhanced Resource Facility for Deaf children

Welcome

‘Working Together to be Happy and Successful’ is our mission statement and we are fully committed to creating a positive atmosphere, where all children can grow to achieve their full potential and become responsible, successful and caring members of the community.

At New Whittington Primary School, we are proud to offer an Enhanced Resource Facility (ERF) for Deaf learners, supporting children aged 3 to 11 across our nursery and two mainstream units. Our ERF provides a specialist, inclusive setting where Deaf children can develop language, confidence, and a strong sense of identity, while accessing high-quality education alongside their hearing peers.

We welcome pupils from across Chesterfield who have permanent severe or profound deafness, often alongside speech, language, or complex needs, and who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Who We Are

We are a dedicated and experienced team, passionate about Deaf education and inclusion:

• Mrs Gill – Teacher of the Deaf (ToD)
• Miss Tilley – Specialised Deaf Teaching Assistant
• Mrs Pantry – Specialised Deaf Teaching Assistant
• Mrs Ellis – Specialised Deaf Teaching Assistant

All members of the team are trained in British Sign Language (BSL) and work closely with families, mainstream staff, and external professionals to support every aspect of each child’s journey.

Our Aims

Our core aim is to understand and meet each child’s individual needs, helping them to close learning gaps and achieve their full potential. We use a Total Communication approach, valuing and promoting both spoken English and BSL equally. Our vision is to nurture independent, confident Deaf young people who feel empowered to thrive.

What Support Looks Like:

Support for Deaf Learners
Every child in our ERF receives a personalised curriculum, carefully planned by our specialist team. This includes a combination of time with hearing peers in the mainstream and focused work with Deaf peers in small groups. Our tailored support includes:

• Daily audiology checks and maintenance of hearing aids or cochlear implants
• Speech and language support embedded into the daily routine
• Cued articulation to support early phonics and speech development
• Targeted literacy using a core vocabulary approach
• Daily in-class support from specialist staff for BSL users
• Signed stories and specialist BSL input
• Bespoke curriculum arrangements based on individual need
• Visuals and communication aids to enhance understanding and access
• Regular sessions to build a positive Deaf identity

We also run Deaf Friend Fridays, a weekly session where our Deaf children come together to develop vocabulary, explore the world around them, and build social skills. Topics have included Fruit Fridays, Feel Good Fridays, Festival Fridays, and Friends Who Help Us Fridays. We’ve welcomed Deaf ambassadors from the police and fire service, as well as representatives from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Support for Mainstream Staff
To ensure full inclusion, we provide ongoing support and training to all school staff, helping them to confidently meet the needs of Deaf learners. This includes:

• Deaf awareness training for all staff and pupils
• Hearing technology training, including use of radio aids and soundfield systems
• Access to BSL resources and in-class signs for key vocabulary
• Visual supports and communication aids tailored to lessons
• In-class guidance and modelling from the ERF team
• Collaborative planning to ensure deaf pupils are included in all curriculum areas and school activities
  

A Signing School
We are proud to be a signing school. Every child from EYFS to Year 6 receives weekly BSL lessons delivered by our specialist team. Signing is embedded into school life, helping to build inclusion and mutual understanding:

• Weekly BSL lessons for all children
• Sign of the Week shared in assemblies and on social media
• Singing assemblies are fully signed
• BSL is used naturally throughout the day across school
• BSL resources and visual aids are available to staff

A Deaf-Friendly Environment
We’ve made purposeful adaptations to ensure our learning environment is both acoustically and visually accessible:

• Classrooms are carpeted and fitted with lowered ceilings to reduce background noise
• Soundfield amplification systems are installed in every room
• Radio aids are used across classrooms to ensure optimal listening for Deaf learners

Check out our Enhanced Resources Facilities booklet for more information

Visit Us

We would love to show you what makes our ERF special. To arrange a visit, please contact:

Mrs Gill – Teacher of the Deaf
📞 01246 450688
📧 nwprgill@learnerstrust.org.uk