Caterham Hearing Impaired Provision (Secondary)

The Hearing Impaired Provision at Caterham High school provides support for secondary age students who have a long term hearing loss which impacts on their learning and ability to access the curriculum. The communication approach is based upon the total communication model and is student-centred, so can be adapted to suit the needs of the individual. Students use technology to make maximum use of their residual hearing and may also use sign.

The provision is housed in purpose built accommodation which includes an audiology room, exam room, resources room and several acoustically treated small teaching rooms. There are soundfield systems in the hall and a number of teaching rooms within the school.

Students are supported by a multi-disciplinary team, which is comprised of fully qualified teachers of the deaf; communication support workers; learning support assistants and a speech and language therapist who is based at Caterham High School on two days each week. Specialist staff work closely with subject teachers in the planning and presentation of work in order to make sure it is fully accessible to the hearing impaired students within a mainstream setting. There are also opportunities for small group work within the Hearing Impaired Provision and supported study sessions for student who require this.

The package of support provided to students is put together in consultation with professionals, parents and the students themselves and reviewed regularly. The hearing impaired students are fully included in the life of the school: they are members of a tutor group and participate in a broad range of extra curricular activities.

The hearing impaired students arrive half an hour earlier and depart fifteen minutes later than their mainstream peers. This extra time allows for tutorials with specialist staff. The Provision also provides audiological care and maintenance, in order that the students receive maximum benefit from their hearing aids and radio aids.