General strategies to support a deaf pupil in school:

· Check hearing aids are working daily

· Encourage independent management of equipment or support the deaf pupil to alert an adult if equipment is not working.

· Check pupil is sitting in a suitable position, near the speaker and able to see the rest of the class.

· Speak clearly and naturally, standing still when you are talking, with your face in the light (not in front of a window).

· Help to keep background noise down as much as possible- this is a major problem for pupils listening through hearing aids.

· Encourage the deaf pupil’s listening skills, looking at the teacher/speaker when they are talking.

· Use visual clues whenever possible.

· Check the deaf pupil has heard/understood an instruction, by asking them to tell you what they have to do or by using a simple thumbs up tool.

· A deaf pupil is likely to have missed “incidental” learning opportunities and may need gaps filled with check up sessions.

· Encouraging a buddy system where a pupil can help the deaf pupil stay on task-confirming page number, subject etc.

· Check homework has been copied down accurately.

· A deaf pupil may need you to support them by taking notes for them so that they can listen without having to write as well.

· Try to support but withdraw when possible to encourage independence.

· A deaf pupil will become very tired with the extra effort needed to listen hard all the time and may need short breaks from a noisy classroom