Worried about the cost of living? Need some support? Find out more here

Doncaster School for the Deaf

Doncaster School for the Deaf was founded in 1829, which makes us one of the oldest deaf schools in the UK and we are proud of our long history and achievements.

We provide a pupil-centered approach to education from the earliest years up to the age of 19. All pupils have an Education and Health Care Plan, which ensures that we know exactly what we need to do to meet their special educational needs. Although we are based in Doncaster, we are a national resource and pupils come to us via local authorities from all over the UK. We offer a safe and nurturing environment in which children can learn and communicate effectively to achieve their goals.

Who to contact

Name: Jane Goodman
Position: Deputy Head
Telephone: 01302 386733
Email: secretary@ddt-deaf.org.uk
Website: https://www.deaf-trust.co.uk/school
Social Media: Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Where to go

Name: Doncaster School for the Deaf
Address: Leger Way
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
Postcode: DN2 6AY; View DN2 6AY on a map
Area served: All Suffolk

Other details

Age Groups

Pre-school, 16-25 years, Children (5-11), Adults, Young people

Notes

Doncaster School for the Deaf, established in 1829, is a day and residential school for deaf children from the ages of 4-19 years.

We aim to teach the full curriculum through the pupil’s preferred language modality and by Teachers of the Deaf in small class groups. We believe that all pupils who are deaf can learn and take an active part in achieving their full potential.

Referrals to the school can be made by professionals and fees are paid through the Local Authority.

The school supports parents, children/young people and their carers by working closely together.

We are open during term time from 9am through to 4pm Monday to Friday and provide British Sign Language, deaf studies tuition, speech and language therapy, medical and audiology services as standard.

www.deaf-trust.co.uk/school

School Type

Special

DfE Number

3717002

Chair of Governors

Mrs Pam Allen

Support for people with disabilities

Access Suffolk

Experience of including people with special educational needs and disabilities

The new SEN System has the intention of giving children, young people, parents and carers greater control and choice in decisions and ensuring their needs are properly met. It will:

replace special needs 'Statements' with a 0-25 Education and Heath Care Plan (EHCP)
offer families personal budgets
improve cooperation between services requiring Education , Health and Social care services to work together
require Local Authorities to publish a Local Offer which will show the special educational provision and support available to disabled children, young people and their families.

You can find out more about the local offer from Chapter 4 of the 0-25 SEND Code of Practice. The following is the response of Doncaster School for the Deaf to the Local offer:

What do we aim to do and who do we provide for ?

We are a non-maintained day and boarding school for deaf children aged 4-19 years and work closely with them to achieve their ambitions. We believe that all children who are deaf can learn and take an active part in achieving their full potential.

Our pupils access a full and personalised curriculum in small class groups. In addition we provide British Sign Language (BSL) and Deaf Studies tuition, Speech and Language Therapy, Audiology and Medical Services. Our staff include experienced and qualified Teachers of the Deaf, secondary subject specialist teachers who are also Teachers of the Deaf, teachers and support staff who are themselves deaf and experienced learning support assistants. All staff aim towards having BSL level 3 skills or above.

We aim to teach the curriculum through the pupil's preferred language modality, aiming not only to provide high standards of education but also to develop a positive self-image, self-esteem and self-respect among pupils. We develop pupils communication skills including British Sign Language (BSL), Sign Supported English (SSE) or spoken English - enabling them to develop internalised language and effective thought processes. Languages and cultures of both Deaf and hearing communities are valued and respected.

Our Sixth Form pupils are given opportunity to access further academic or vocational qualifications. We work in partnership with the Communication Specialist College Doncaster which shares our campus and allows pupils greater flexibility with their options.

What areas does it cover?

Pupils come from a number of local authorities. The school has a small residence/ care home which is open to deaf children from throughout the UK. The school has bright modern classrooms and excellent sports facilities which include an indoor heated swimming pool. Our school is managed by Doncaster Deaf Trust and works in partnership with Little Learners Nursery and Communication Specialist College.

We strive towards strong partnerships with parents, families, other professionals and wider deaf and hearing communities.

Is our service fully accessible?

Classrooms are acoustically treated and teaching groups are small. We aim that pupils are taught by teachers of the deaf who have good BSL skills. Most of our staff are native BSL users or have trained in this area. Pupils are supported by an experienced team of learning support assistants.Training is put in place to meet specific medical needs of pupils and the school has a qualified nurse onsite. The school also provides Audiology services and Speech and Language Therapy.

What training for supporting the children and young people with SEND do we have or are having?

The school has a comprehensive professional development programme that reflects the roles of staff and the individual needs of pupils. We aim for all staff to have BSL skills to level 3 or above. Teachers are trained as Teachers of the Deaf. Training in the medical needs of pupils and safeguarding are regularly updated. All staff who work in residence are NVQ Level 3 qualified in Children and Young People.

Who can I contact for further information?

Contact:

secretary@ddt-deaf.org.uk or enquiries@ddt-deaf.org.uk

01302 386733

Contact