The school learning sign language in every class to help a deaf pupil feel included

A primary school is hoping sign language will become 'second nature' to pupils after introducing it in every classroom.

Lyndhurst Primary School in Oldham celebrated International Deaf Week by signing songs in assembly last week.

But it's the steps they are taking every day - introducing British sign language (BSL) into general school life - that is making such a huge difference to the lives of deaf pupil Mohammed Daud and two other children with hearing impairments.

Children at Lyndhurst Primary are learning sign language to help deaf pupil Mohammed Daud, centre (MEN)

Five-year-old Daud has two cochlear implants and needs BSL and sign supported English (SSE) to access education.

Staff at the school, including educational communicator Amy Scoltock and deputy head Rob Hollingsworth, want him to have just as many opportunities as the other pupils.

"As a school we feel very strongly about equality," said Amy. "Our school has three hard of hearing children and we work very hard to make sure that all children are included.

Headteacher Egan Walsh with Mohammed Daud, who is deaf, and educational communicator Amy Scoltock (MEN)

"We are teaching the children in school about effective communication and how to overcome barriers and become more successful communicators to one another.

"Sign language is a tool that can be used for all children to support their education. As it's a visual aid it can work alongside speech as another resource."

The school is now be teaching BSL weekly and using its website to encourage 'parents to get involved with the growth of deaf awareness'.

Five-year-old Daud in assembly with his fellow pupils (MEN)

Amy, who has signed for 10 years working with hearing impaired children, said it's already making a huge difference at the school.

"Since introducing sign to the whole school I have seen children involve and accept Daud more as they can now communicate with him," she said.

Pupils signing in assembly (MEN)

"I have seen children sign to each other 'good morning' and 'good afternoon'. We want to ensure that just like speech, in our school sign language is second nature to us all.

"My passion is to ensure all the hearing impaired children are involved and can access everything in a school environment. Rob is an amazing deputy head and allows us to explore our passion and pass our knowledge and experience on freely in the school."

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