School where deaf pupils not left out

From: ic Coventry - Coventry,UK - Dec 22, 2004

By Lucy Lynch

Inspectors who visited a secondary school in Coventry were impressed that some of the pupils were learning sign language so they could make friends with children in the school's hearing impaired unit.

A team of inspectors visited the 1,112-pupil Stoke Park Community Technology College, in Dane Road, Stoke, in September and has just published its report.

The inspectors highlighted good teaching, saying staff turnover had reduced and a number of quality staff had recently joined the school.

They said managers were doing a good job, singling out those in the maths, English and science departments for particular praise.

Pupils with learning difficulties and those with English as a second language were said to be doing well and the inspectors highlighted the fact that pupils in the hearing impaired unit at the school took part in activities such as work experience and the leavers' ball.

They were impressed that some of Stoke Park's pupils were learning sign language in order to communicate with deaf and hearing-impaired pupils.

Bad behaviour was noted in a small number of lessons but the inspectors said it was dealt with consistently.

Head Bill Wolger said the inspectors only saw three examples of bad behaviour and all of them in classes taught by teachers very new to the school.

Mr Wolger said: "The report talked about the level of teamwork across the school which is particularly pleasing. I think everybody can be rightfully proud of the report."

Copyright Trinity Mirror Plc 2004