Member Article

Leeds primary school wins national award

A Leeds primary school has scooped a national award following its dedication to the inclusion and equality of deaf children.

The Signature Annual Award for Transforming Lives Through Education has been awarded to Rawdon Littlemoor Primary School after judges recognised teachers dedication to removing stigma related to deafness.

Local musician, inspirational speaker and workshop leader Paul Whittacker, OBE, presented the award to the whole school after representatives were given the award at the Signature Annual Awards, held in London. He said : “It was a pleasure and a privilege to visit Rawdon Littlemoor for a day of signed song activities and a bonus to be there to help them celebrate receiving the award.

“The commitment to inclusion, to promoting deaf awareness and to BSL is outstanding and the teaching staff have created an environment where every deaf child is encouraged to reach their potential. It is a rare and shining example of what can be achieved in deaf education and richly deserved.”

Signature executive director Lindsay Foster said: “Rawdon Littlemoor Primary School has worked tirelessly to ensure deaf children are integrated into the life of the school. The team has worked to remove any stigma related to deafness across the establishment; hearing and deaf students can communicate without a support worker and BSL is integral to school performances.

“This year, we focussed on ‘educators’, including new and experienced teachers of British Sign Language. We also celebrated teachers of the deaf, groups or individuals in the local community who create exciting learning opportunities for deaf and hearing impaired people, and business people who are improving customer service for deaf and deafblind people through staff training.

“We are impressed every year by the amazing stories that are uncovered through our awards and it gives us great pleasure in being able to celebrate the fantastic work that is being done to promote and improve deaf communication across the UK.”

Rawdon Littlemoor, which is recognised as being a beacon of exemplary inclusive practice, has been supporting hearing impaired pupils for over 10 years. Staff throughout school, use BSL regularly in their lessons and so all children enjoy communicating.

The annual awards celebrate people across the UK who are involved in providing a positive impact on the lives of some of the 11 million deaf and hard of hearing people living in the country. Over 110 guests attended the formal awards at Prospero House in London, with seven other winners receiving accolades for their dedication to education or deaf training.

Signature is a deaf and deafblind charity and the leading provider of British Sign Language (BSL) and other deaf and deafblind qualifications in the UK. The charity recently launched its search for the country’s most inspirational people involved in educating and training the deaf and deafblind community.

To find out more information about all of the Signature Annual Award winners please visit – www.signatureannualawards.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Signature .