WELCOME!!!

Royal School for the Deaf Derby is a child centred day and residential school, which provides deaf children aged from 3 — 19 with access to language (English and BSL), literacy and all curriculum areas.   It promotes a strong sense of identity and through its 24 hour curriculum prepares young people for adult life. "A very effective school" Ofsted 2005. "The school staff and student relationships are very good with staff investing significant amounts of time and energy ........ to ensure that pupil needs are identified and met"  CSCI 2006

Principal Cheryll Ford

In practice this means:

• The school follows the National Curriculum including the Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, Science and ICT initiatives, SATs, Entry Level, GCSE and a range of other external assessments

• The school has a fully developed ICT network, which is used to enhance other curriculum areas. All pupils have their own email address

• There is a BSL curriculum where pupils work towards CACDP examinations

• There is a Deaf Studies curriculum leading to CACDP examination

• Two speech and language therapists with good bilingual skills have regular sessions with all children

• The educational audiologist is based in a purpose built suite. Pupils are encouraged to maximise their residual hearing through the use of analogue and digital hearing aids and cochlear implants

• There is full time nurse based in a well equipped Health Centre

• Well qualified deaf and hearing staff work in all departments

• Information is made available for staff and parents in BSL and English

• Pupils in residence are encouraged to participate in deaf and hearing community activities. 

Access to Telemental Health including the services of a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychiatrist, Psychologist and Play Therapist

Language acquisition in the Foundation Stage from natural users provides a good base for educational progression through the key stages. “Children’s very good achievements in the Foundation Stage result from very good teaching and very effective input from education assistants” Ofsted 2005.

A high quality language environment for deaf children aged three to five where the Foundation Stage Curriculum is followed Staffed by an Foundation Stage Teacher and qualified Early Years Practitioners Input from the Speech and Language Therapist, Audiologist and BSL Tutor Language skills are encouraged in BSL and spoken English through play, storytelling, conversation, music and contact with deaf and hearing people Modern and well-equipped activity and play areas provide an ideal setting where children can develop their creative, physical, social, linguistic and mathematical skills Good links have been established with a local nursery and reciprocal visits take place A Parent and Toddler Group meets once a week to share ideas and practice

Children are based in small classes with teachers of the deaf and education assistants - many of whom are deaf. “The school has adapted and implemented the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy very well to meet the needs of primary age pupils,” Ofsted 2005

The curriculum follows the framework and guidelines of Curriculum 2000, including the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, and is designed to develop skills at every level Children are taught by their class teacher, supported by an education assistant and receive some additional specialist subject input Subjects covered: English Mathematics Design and Technology Physical Education History BSL Deaf Studies Art & Design Geography Personal, Social and Health Education including Citizenship Religious Education Science Music Information and Communication Technology Pupil’s progress is assessed regularly All children take part in the Standard Assessment Tests at the end of each Key Stage Pupil’s development in BSL is recorded on video Speech and Language Therapy is built into the timetable on an individual and group basis Learning to swim at an early age is encouraged Deaf and hearing staff work throughout the department Pupils take part in national and local festivals for Art and Drama Pupils have the opportunity to take part in extended residential visits

National Curriculum subjects are taught by specialist teachers.

All national curriculum subjects are taught by specialist teachers (full curriculum content is available from school) External examinations and assessments offered include GCSE, DiDA, BTEC and CACDP The English Department includes an ICT suite located in the library The School has two Science bases fully equipped for practical and theory sessions including access to ICT equipment  A high profile is given to Sports and PE GCSEs and/or Entry Level are offered in English Mathematics Statistics Science Design and Technology (includes Food and Resistant Materials) Art and Design (including Art Textiles) Geography History Physical Education Religious Education Drama ICT

Working in partnership with local mainstream secondary schools and colleges.

Students are able to follow vocational courses at local mainstream colleges. They have full access to communication and any additional support required. Courses lead to a full range of recognised qualifications for example, Links to, Routes to, GNVQ foundation, intermediate and advanced courses. Adult numeracy and literacy is delivered at RSDD by specialist teachers and qualified teachers of the Deaf. Basic skills and Key skills are offered in this subject and tailored to individual needs. In addition, all wider key skills, i.e. IT, problem solving, working with others and improving own learning are taught with full support. Students receive the high level of support that they have come to expect from RSDD, for example; speech and language therapy, audiology, and integrated careers advice. Students are also able to take part in organised sporting and leisure activities in the local area. There is a strong focus on the need to support the general well being and independence of the students and provision is made for this. Students can to be resident and individual needs are recognised in the level of care and support provided. For further details please contact RSDD 01332 362512.

Residences offer a rich bilingual environment and pupils are encouraged to participate in deaf and hearing community activities.

Residences are based on family style units in houses situated around the outskirts of the campus The pupils eat breakfast in the residences and then walk to school for registration and hearing aid checks. Supper is taken in the dining room or residences. Some of the older children are encouraged to cook for themselves A wide variety of activities are available in the houses, in the school sports hall and in the wider community - including Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides, Youth Club and After Hours Club There are Deaf and hearing workers in each house and they have regular contact with educational staff