St Leonard's Primary School shortlisted for Sense Award for work with deafblind pupil
St Leonard’s Primary School in Exeter has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for its work with a deafblind pupil. St Leonard's is one of only three organizations shortlisted for a Partnership/Local Community award from Sense, the national charity supporting deafblind people.
Five-year old Chloe Ring has been a full-time pupil at St Leonard’s since September 2012. Her mum, Jane, nominated the school. She told Sense: "I would like to nominate St Leonard’s Primary School for the outstanding way they have worked with Chloe and the family, including her in the school and ensuring the educational provision meets her complex learning needs. This first year at school has been very positive, we all feel welcome and accepted and this has been the best start possible for Chloe’s school life."
Chloe is the first pupil in Devon to have been supported from pre-school into mainstream education by a Sense Multi Sensory Impairment (MSI) consultant paid for by Devon County Council.
Multi Sensory Impairment Consultant Clive Fowler said: “The challenge we faced was how we could make an impact on learning by ensuring that specialist teams work together. Chloe’s success story has proven that integration can be successful. She has support from a wide range of specialists, who ensure she can make the most of all the learning opportunities the school provides. Their work has to be carefully co-ordinated”.
Head Teacher Jo Evans said: “Devon County Council has been particularly supportive in enabling Chloe to be included so completely – both through providing manpower in the guise of specialist teachers and multi-sensory workers; and resources in adapting our buildings. Thanks to this input the school did not need to train specialists (although every member of staff at the school was given Sensory Impairment awareness training) and could hit the ground running.”
Foundation teacher Leanne Galloway has taken the lead in Chloe’s learning. Whilst taking responsibility for Chloe’s learning, the school has been supported by a very professional team surrounding Chloe.
Chloe has been encouraged to take a full part in lessons. She uses an ipad in lessons and assembly to see what the other children can read on the whiteboard. Classmates have joined Chloe in learning Braille and she has enjoyed helping them learn the characters.
Jane and Neil, Chloe’s parents, know that they can discuss and resolve any issues quickly; they deserve credit for their support of the team and their willingness to build a strong parent/teacher alliance.
Head Teacher Jo Evans said: “Nomination for this prestigious award should offer hope to other familes of deafblind pupils. It has enabled the school to demonstrate that deafblind inclusion is possible. We are proud that our pioneering work has allowed Sense to see their vision in action.
“Right now, our main aim is for Chloe to carry on having a happy and fulfilled time at school and to meet her learning needs.”
Multi Sensory Impairment Teacher Clive Fowler said: “St Leonard’s School is an exemplar of good practice. The school was committed to make it work, the teacher took control of Chloe’s learning, the MSI team provided experienced and skilled day to day support and the team of visiting specialists worked in a co-ordinated way to ensure Chloe’s needs were met. Above all, the school welcomed the support and input of Chloe’s parents.”
“St Leonard’s provided a nurturing, yet challenging environment along with a co-ordinated package of support.”
“The key characteristics of what made this work were that the school was committed; the teacher took control of learning; and the school welcomed support staff in to provide specialist input.”
SENCo & Deputy Head Judith Douglas said: “The links we have made with other agencies put us in a wonderful position to offer tailored education to meet the needs of children with special educational needs.”
Chloe’s Foundation year teacher, Leanne Galloway said: “Chloe is an amazing little girl, who is always determined and excited by the company of her peers and her learning.”
Chloe's Mum Jane Ring said: “We really wanted Chloe to go to local school and for the whole family to be part of the local community. I love being able to walk behind Chloe as she goes into school with her friends and we feel like a real part of school life.”
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (deafness) Jacqui Watton said: “Chloe has made outstanding progress since she started school - she is a credit to herself, her family, the Multisensory Workers and the school. She remains confident, outgoing and enthusiastic about learning”.
Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for Schools, Will Mumford said: “I am delighted that St Leonard’s has been nominated for this award – particularly because it’s come from Chloe’s family.
“It is a reflection of the hard work the head and her staff have undertaken and the wide-ranging support that Devon County Council has been able to provide.”
The award ceremony will take place in London on 30 September.
