PDDCS members: teaching the University teachers

Students relaxed in their teaching role

Educational research often indicates students make the best teachers and this is quite true when it comes to the deaf awareness sessions delivered by our PDDCS members.
Earlier this month 6 young deaf students went to Cambridge University to deliver a workshop to the PGCE lecturers. The lecturers really enjoyed the fun and interactive session, planned and led solely by the students. Many commented how much it reminded them of the learning experienced daily by students in the classroom.

Hmmm, what hard spellings should I give them?.. she ponders

The PDDCS members have often supported the deaf awareness training delivered to trainee teachers in their school setting. However the confidence boost from the 'Look Smile Chat' national campaign has encouraged the students to move away from the comfort zone of school and also deliver their training sessions in Cambridge University.





Within the one hour workshop the students promote good deaf awareness tactics, increase audiology knowledge and educate the learners so that they can hold a basic conversation in BSL. The learners i.e. the teachers/lecturers question the students about their mainstream learning experiences.  

Oh no, the learners had forgotten there was an extension task. Differentiation is of course key to a successful lesson

Hopefully all these learners will reflect upon their classroom practices to develop further generations of more 'deaf-aware' teachers with deaf-friendly lessons.

TQ Scoops Top Local Education Award

Teresa Quail receives the trophy and certificate

Prominent PDDCS Committee Member, PDDCS lead blogger and Lead Teacher of the Deaf for Secondary Provision, Teresa Quail has won the award for Best Support for Students for Special Needs at Peterborough Telegraph Education Awards.

This was for Teresa's teriffic work with Students from Jack Hunt School's Hearing Unit which has been nothing short of amazing.

Teresa said "This award is great but I have to pay tribute to my fantastic team who do so much too. I see this as an award for us all. Not to mention the fantastic children who make it all worthwhile"

The award ceremony was Peterborough's Key Theatre and the award was sponsored by Vivacity and the Key Theatre who were unfortunately unable to provide signed support or subtitles for the deaf adults and students who were there to see the awards ceremony. This despite having prior notice.

Teresa also plays a major role within PDDCS. Teresa has secured funding for the Deaf Role Models night, sponsorship for the John Smith Comedy night, enabled the use of Jack Hunt School for events, regularly volunteered and written hundreds of posts for the PDDCS blog which has recently seen it's 50,000th hit. Teresa also coordinated the City's contribution to the world record breaking 'Sign2Sing' effort this year.

From all at PDDCS, well done Teresa and thank you from everyone involved with deaf children in Peterborough. We're lucky you chose us.

Click here for the video of the event from PT (without subtitles) 

See below for more images of the night.

Teresa and other award nominees

Teresa with some of her team, students and parent after the awards

Teresa inspects the certificate outside with a friend

Teresa Quail with the trophy, Pamela Kilbey with her Best Headteacher nominee certificate





Education professionals working with deaf kids? This is for you.. Read on..

Do you know any education professionals who are directly working with families of deaf and hearing impaired children aged 0 to 5 years old? Would they be interested in free training to deliver the NDCS Family Sign Language Curriculum to support their work with families?

The NDCS “Family Sign Language Training the Trainers” two-day course will be held at four different venues on four different dates:

·         13 and 14 October, Leicester

·         19 and 20 October, London

·         25 and 26 October, Leeds

·         10 and 11 November, Winchester

Day One will be delivered by colleagues from Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) at University College London and will focus on language acquisition of BSL, BSL linguistics, storytelling skills and Sign Bilingualism. Day Two will be more practice-based looking at how to deliver the FSLC, lesson planning, differentiation, creating resources, and micro-teaching activities.

This training course is free to colleagues who would like to deliver the FSLC and meet our minimum skills and competences. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Individual applications to be made via booking form and email to Helen Foulkes, NDCS Project Manager: Family Sign Language at sign@ndcs.org.uk  before Monday 12 September.


NDCS are also pleased to announce a new small grants scheme to help families with deaf children access Family Sign Language courses. Grants are available to organisations, such as Local Deaf Children’s Societies, who want to deliver Family Sign Language courses in the UK using the NDCS FSLC. For an application form and to find out more please email Helen Foulkes at sign@ndcs.org.uk