PUPILS at a Derby special school have taken part in a hands-on tour of the city in support of Sign Language Week, which this year was themed “United in Sign”.
Students from the Royal School for the Deaf Derby (RSDD) visited locations across the city to teach members of the community basic British Sign Language (BSL) and encourage them to give it a try.
For Year 6 pupil Nanette, one stop was particularly special as she returned to her former school, St Peter’s CofE School in Littleover – part of the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) – where she was reunited with old classmates.
Alongside her RSDD peers, she led a BSL session for pupils, teaching finger spelling as well as signs for foods and emotions.
Nanette said:“I was really nervous to come back to the school and have a lot of attention on me, but I felt great as soon as I came in, it was so good to see everybody.
“It was so great to see that some of my old friends have been learning BSL since I left, and it was lovely being able to teach them some more signs”
“That was really nice and meant a lot to see that they were doing that because of me.”
Headteacher Paul Burrows also took the message to the airwaves, appearing live on BBC Radio Derby to demonstrate signs alongside presenter Ian Skye, giving listeners the chance to learn from home.
Paul Burrows asked the listeners “How amazing would it be for a Deaf person to go into any shop in Derby and be greeted with a simple “hello”, or “please” and “thank you” in BSL? It really is achievable”
The “BSL tour” included visits to the University of Derby and Derbion, where pupils spent time with members of the public teaching basic BSL, handing out information sheets and stickers, and encouraging people to consider learning more.
The week concluded with a visit from Wendy Daunt OBE, who led a BSL storytelling session in school. Pupils also completed a handprint ‘signature’ wall, celebrating and demonstrating the visibility of BSL and reinforcing that it is their language, heritage and identity.
Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson also highlighted the importance of wider BSL use in Parliament during the week, using her platform to promote awareness, accessibility and inclusion for the deaf community.
Catherine said: “Derby has the largest deaf community of any local authority in the country, thanks in large part to the Royal School for the Deaf Derby, founded in 1898 and the strong and support community that has risen ever since.
“But even in Derby, too many people find public services inaccessible.
“In Parliament, I raised the importance of making sure public services are accessible, so people can get information and communicate in ways that work for them.
“Wishing everyone who uses British Sign Language in Derby and across the country a very happy Sign Language Week.”
Paul Burrows said: “I am so proud of every pupil for the effort and enthusiasm they have shown this week.
“They have represented the school brilliantly and it has been wonderful to see them sharing their skills with the wider community.”
“It was amazing to see the generosity and kindness shown by members of the public towards the children, and their enthusiasm for learning some basic BSL.
“It would be amazing for Derby to come together as one, and make a commitment to learning BSL and engaging even further with the deaf community”
ENDS
This press release was distributed by Penguin PR. To find out more contact Sarah-Louise Elton on 01332 416228 or by email at [email protected]
