New plans for teaching deaf pupils
Bradford Council is being asked to support new plans for teaching deaf youngsters.
Two schemes to teach more children in mainstream schools were drawn up last year by Education Bradford as part of an overall review of Special Educational Needs in the district.
The Council's Executive will look at a third model which was based on a plan suggested by Thorn Park School for the Deaf at its meeting at City Hall on Monday, October 17.
Members have been asked to approve the recommendations which include setting up two new Deaf Centres of Excellence, one foundation and primary and one secondary specialist centre.
The primary centre would cater for 50 pupils. It would have Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) for up to 15 youngsters which would be developed by January 2006.
A secondary centre is also proposed which would have DSP for about 15 students.
A suitable primary school in the north of the district, covering Keighley, Ilkley and Bingley, would also be identified for DSP.
Girlington Primary School would keep its DSP, which will reduce to 20 pupils over time, and the school would link formally with St Edmund's Nursery School (Girlington's Children's Centre) to boost the deaf provision in the area.
These proposals are the result of comprehensive consultation with parents, staff and other interested parties.
Executive Member for Education Coun Dale Smith said: "The aim is to make sure deaf youngsters are given quality education within a mainstream setting."
Officer/Department Contact:
Pauline Chilvers, Strategic Education Adviser
Telephone: 01274 385526
Media Relations Officer:
Carolyne Coyle
Telephone: 01274 433526
Fax: 01274 432005
Email: press.communications@bradford.gov.uk
