Hearing Impairment Resource Base

At Sarum St Paul's Church of England Primary School, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be home to a specialist Hearing Impairment Resource Base, where deaf children receive expert support while being fully included in the life of our mainstream school.

Rooted in our Christian vision of Rooted in Love, Growing Together, we believe every child should experience a true sense of belonging. Our Hearing Impairment Resource Base enables children who are deaf to access specialist support while learning, playing and growing alongside their peers. It is a valued and important part of our school community and helps shape the inclusive culture that we are so proud of.

Did you know?

Every classroom is equipped for deaf learners

Every classroom and our school hall are fitted with soundfield systems, creating the best possible listening environment for all children.

Specialist support every day

Our deaf pupils are supported by a qualified Teacher of the Deaf alongside a team of highly experienced teaching assistants with extensive expertise in deaf education.

Learning alongside friends

Most children admitted to our Resource Base spend the majority of their school day learning in their mainstream classroom with their peers.

A community of deaf learners

All deaf children at Sarum St Paul's come together regularly for deaf identity sessions, enrichment activities and shared experiences that build confidence, friendships and a strong sense of belonging.

Inclusion is part of who we are

Deaf awareness is embedded throughout school life, helping every child develop understanding, empathy and respect.

Specialist support

Support is carefully tailored to each child's individual needs and may include:

• Specialist teaching from the Teacher of the Deaf.

• Individual or small group sessions within the Resource Base.

• In-class support to enable full access to learning.

• Development of listening, language and communication skills.

• Support with hearing technology, including personal radio aids.

• Opportunities to develop deaf identity, confidence and self-advocacy.

Every child's programme is personalised and reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet their individual needs and helps them achieve their full potential.

Learning in the classroom

For most pupils admitted to the Resource Base, the mainstream classroom is where they spend the majority of their school day. Children are full members of their class and participate in the complete curriculum alongside educational visits, performances, clubs and all aspects of school life.

When appropriate, pupils also spend time in the Resource Base for specialist teaching, pre-teaching and overlearning of key concepts, language development and individual support. This flexible approach allows children to benefit from both specialist provision and the rich experiences of mainstream education.

Creating an accessible learning environment

We are committed to ensuring that deaf children can fully access learning alongside their peers.

Many of our deaf pupils use personal radio aids, allowing their teacher's voice to be transmitted directly to their hearing technology. Together with the soundfield systems installed throughout the school, this helps reduce background noise and creates the best possible listening environment.

Our staff receive regular training to ensure classrooms, teaching approaches and the wider school environment continue to meet the needs of deaf learners.

Building confidence and celebrating deaf identity

Supporting deaf children extends beyond the classroom. Across the school year, all deaf children attending Sarum St Paul's, whether they are supported through the Resource Base or attend our mainstream classes, come together for shared experiences and enrichment opportunities.

These have included visits to the park, trips to Pizza Express, theatre visits, creative workshops and other activities that help children develop friendships, confidence and a positive sense of deaf identity.

Children also take part in sessions that explore deaf identity, self-esteem and self-advocacy, helping them to develop pride in who they are and the confidence to communicate their needs.

A school where everyone learns together

Our Hearing Impairment Resource Base enriches the whole school community. We want every child at Sarum St Paul's to develop an understanding of deafness, communication and inclusion, creating a culture where differences are recognised, respected and celebrated.

Throughout the year, pupils take part in activities such as Deaf Awareness Week, assemblies and classroom learning that help them understand the experiences of deaf people and how they can be inclusive of others. Deaf pupils are encouraged to share their experiences and knowledge, helping to build confidence while fostering curiosity, empathy and respect among their peers.

We believe inclusion benefits everyone. By learning together, our children grow into compassionate, thoughtful young people who value diversity and understand that everyone has something unique to contribute to our school community.

Working in partnership

We know that strong partnerships make the greatest difference to children's success. We work closely with families, the Teacher of the Deaf, Wiltshire Council's Hearing Support Service and other professionals to ensure every child receives the support they need.

Regular communication between home and school enables us to celebrate successes, respond to changing needs and ensure children continue to make excellent progress academically, socially and emotionally.

Admissions

Places within the Hearing Impairment Resource Base are allocated by Wiltshire Council through the Local Authority's specialist placement process. Children are admitted when they are assessed as requiring specialist Resource Base provision alongside mainstream education to meet their identified needs.

If you would like to find out more about our Hearing Impairment Resource Base or discuss whether our provision may be appropriate for your child, please contact the school office. We would be delighted to answer your questions and arrange a visit.