Glencairn Primary, unique to Scotland, offers the opportunity of education within an inclusive setting. It focusses on deaf children being taught orally with their hearing peers. Our children are central to our school’s identity and are fully involved in the whole school community, as well as being part of their own, inspiring deaf community. Deaf children in Glencairn are surrounded by language in a natural and meaningful way. Our aim is to develop each child’s skills by carefully planning to meet their needs in an engaging and language-rich environment.
Our children participate in all aspects of school life which provides opportunities for self-expression, develops confidence and raises self-esteem. We make necessary adaptations to suit the needs of children and their learning journey. We use technology, including the use of Touchscreen Radio Aids to support our children’s listening. This universal equipment is compatible with all hearing aids and cochlear implants, which further support the child’s listening skills.
Partnership working is a key priority, and we effectively liaise with other agencies to effectively plan and monitor learning experiences. We communicate regularly with a variety of agencies including our in-house Speech and Language Therapists, Crosshouse Hospital and Lanarkshire’s Educational Audiologist. We value the essential role that partnership working brings to the development and progress of all of our children.
Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People in our school work with class teachers, parents and the wider-community to support the needs of our children. Pupils are supported through individual, group or whole-class lessons to reinforce, consolidate, support and extend learning. Our assessment procedures and multi-agency working ensures that next steps are identified and targeted in a timely and efficient manner.
We understand the importance of working with families and view our parents as partners in their child’s learning. We work closely with families and other agencies to develop GIRFMe plans with clear targets where progress and achievement, and successes are shared. Communication is key to our ethos. We build trusting relationships with our families and opportunities are provided to meet in school through parent consultations, review meetings, assemblies and fun events.
At Glencairn Primary, our children celebrate success and contribute to making our school a community which values individuals equally and is a welcoming place for all. We understand the importance of mental wellbeing and continue to promote a positive deaf identity. Pupils learn how to be advocates for their needs and manage their equipment with pride and independence. Our weekly Skills-Club allows for pupil choice and supports social skills and the pragmatics of language. We regularly explore our local community and have visited Baron’s Haugh Nature Reserve, The Lanarkshire Deaf Club, Aldi and Asda this session. Our Skills-Club offers our children an opportunity to develop friendship, team-building and fun!
