ARBIB LA 9406

Hearing Resource Base

Welcome to the Centre for the Deaf

The Langley Academy Secondary Hearing Resource Base for the Deaf is a well-established service. It has been part of our school for over 15 years. The resource base proudly supports deaf students with moderate to profound hearing loss. We are committed to providing high-quality, equitable and accessible education for our students.

As the only secondary resource base in East Berkshire, we offer specialist support in our acoustically treated rooms. We empower our students by offering the tools, care, and inclusive community they need for academic and personal success.

We want every student in our care to enjoy learning and have a strong sense of belonging in our school community.

“The resource base helped and supported my child not only with their academic work but also developing their deaf identity.” - Year 11 parent

“My child is really happy coming to school as he has a number of staff and deaf children that make him feel accepted and not feel different.” - Year 8 parent

Our Vision: Inclusivity and Empowerment

At the heart of our Resource Base is the commitment to treat every child as an individual. We provide interventions and support based on each student’s Educational Health Care (EHC) Plan.

We aim to:

  • Ensure good academic progress through excellent teaching and learning.
  • Create a happy, inclusive environment where students can fully participate.
  • Provide opportunities for deaf students to connect with peers and develop a sense of deaf identity.
  • Equip our students with life skills to prepare them for life beyond school.
  • Provide deaf awareness amongst the school community.

Day-to-Day Learning

Deaf students are full members of their mainstream classes, learning and playing alongside their peers. Our flexible approach allows support to adapt to the changing needs of each student:

  • In-Class Support: We provide tailored help during mainstream lessons. This promotes inclusion and independence.
  • Morning Interventions: Daily sessions support language development. Activities include reading diverse texts, building vocabulary and enhancing conversation skills.
  • Small Group Teaching: Students receive targeted interventions in the Hearing Resource Base classrooms.
  • Collaborative Planning: Regular feedback and collaborative planning with mainstream staff ensure that learning opportunities are tailored appropriately for our deaf students.

Highly Skilled Staff

Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to ensuring that every student can thrive:

  • Two Qualified Teachers of the Deaf: Highly qualified staff adapt the curriculum to each student’s needs.
  • Specialist Teaching Assistants: Our staff are experienced and qualified specialists.
  • Speech and Language Therapy: Regular interventions are provided by a qualified speech and language therapist.

Our Approach: Key Resources and Partnerships

Our Centre is strengthened by invaluable resources and collaborative partnerships:

  • Well-Equipped Learning Environment: Specialised materials support high-quality teaching and learning.
  • Collaborative Expertise: We work closely with Speech and Language Therapists, audiologists, and Implant Centres.  This ensures we provide tailored support.
  • Staff Development: Training in specialist equipment and mentoring opportunities help ensure continued excellence.
  • Proven Record of Inclusion: Strong partnerships with local SEND teams. This creates a supportive environment.

Audiology

  • Audiological checks: Regular hearing checks with specialist checking equipment.
  • Speech and Noise Testing: We test functional hearing to assess a deaf student’s ability to hear sounds in background noise.
  • Aurical HIT testing for balancing hearing aids and radio aids.
  • Liaising with audiologists to stay informed of any changes in the student's hearing.
  • Troubleshooting of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and radio aid technology.
  • Checking room acoustics and informing educators.

Communication

  • At The Langley Academy we use an oral communication approach.
  • Regular Deaf awareness training for all current and new staff.
  • Touchscreen radio aids for all our deaf students.
  • Maintaining open communication with parents to ensure consistency and collaboration.
  • Coffee mornings to welcome new families and foster a sense of community.
  • Invitations to Parent Evenings and Annual Review meetings to keep families engaged in their child’s progress.

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