This week, schools across Bourne Education Trust have been proudly celebrating Deaf Awareness Week, shining a light on the importance of inclusivity, communication and understanding.
We are proud to have three of our schools with specialist provision for deaf children – Epsom & Ewell High School, Auriol Junior School and The Mead Infant & Nursery School – where the value of a fully inclusive learning environment is embedded in everything we do.
Throughout the week, these schools have taken part in a range of engaging and meaningful activities designed to raise awareness and celebrate deaf culture. Each day, classrooms explored different aspects of deaf awareness, from learning about British Sign Language (BSL) to understanding how to be a good communication partner.
A highlight of the week were the whole school assemblies, where deaf pupils played a key role in presenting and educating their peers and sharing their experiences - a powerful reminder of the importance of pupil voice and representation.
Pupils also got creative with poster-making, took part in signed scavenger hunts, and enjoyed a range of fun, inclusive activities that brought everyone together in the spirit of learning and celebration.
Deaf Awareness Week is an opportunity not only to educate but to celebrate the diversity within our Trust. We are proud of the inclusive environments nurtured in our schools and grateful to the staff, pupils and families who make them so special.