02 Aug 11
I-Sign Final Report
Sign final report is now out and the Consortium is lobbying Government to ensure the I- Sign pilot can be rolled out nationally after a question to the Prime Minister Prime Minister's Question Time.
For details of the question put to David Cameron see the link to NDCS website: Click Here
For the full report: Click Here (PDF)02 Aug 11
Family Sign Language Curriculum & Grants
NDCS will be running a free two-day training course across four different venues this Autumn for education professionals interested in delivering the Family Sign Language Curriculum to families of deaf and hearing impaired children aged 0 to 5 years old.
Please find attached the following documents for more details: Training course flyer and details (PDF)
Places are limited so please encourage interested people to book early to ensure a place on this course. Booking forms to be emailed to Helen Foulkes Helen.foulkes@ndcs.org.uk by Monday 12 September 2011.
There is also a new grants scheme to help families with deaf children access Family Sign Language courses. Those grants are available to organisations wanting to deliver Family Sign Language courses in the UK using the NDCS Family Sign Language Curriculum. For an application form and to find out more please email sign@ndcs.org.uk. Relevant documents for the Small Grants Scheme have been attached: Small Grants Scheme Document (PDF)27 Jan 11
Red Oaks Primary School are looking for Communication Support Workers
A couple of opportunities have arisen to join the forward thinking and creative Red Oaks team as part of the Sign Bilingual Inclusion provision. Posts will be available from March 2011. Potential candidates who are interested in applying but who would not be able to start until September 2011 are also welcome to apply.
Find out more03 Nov 10
New Communication Support Worker qualification at Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education
Signature Level 3 Certificate in Learning Support (Communication Support Worker)
This new qualification is designed to provide a sound educational basis and the knowledge and skills for supporting D/deaf learners in a wide range of learning institutions within the Lifelong Learning Sector including:
- schools
- college of further education
- higher education institutions
- community organisations.
It will also promote professional development and enable the student to reflect on their own personal and communication support practice.
Find out more information (PDF 204KB) or contact Jane Godwin on 01392 267023 or jgodwin@exeterdeafacademy.ac.uk
19 Mar 10
Family Sign Language Website is now LIVE
The Family Sign Language website is a fun and interactive site for families of deaf children aged 0-5 who wish to learn basic British Sign Language (BSL). The aim is to help families to learn family orientated signs and phrases, provide an introduction to BSL and promote positive communication in the home.
The website includes a dictionary of over 300 everyday signs and phrases, activities and games to use at home, storytelling and communication tips and lots of other exciting resources for learning BSL as a family. A summary DVD version will also be available in the coming weeks for families who do not have access to the internet.
The website is available at the following link http://www.familysignlanguage.org.uk
04 Aug 10
Have your say - Learning and Skills Improvement Service
The Learning Skills Improvement Service is collecting evidence of how deaf people are best supported in education, click here (opens new browser window) to share your views and experience.
10 Jun 10
Top Tips for BSL Teachers - New Dates
Fantastic events for teachers of BSL in north-west and south-west England
Signature are holding Top Tips for BSL teaching, a fantastic event for the continuing professional development of teachers of BSL in north-west and south-west England.
These events will include:- tips on how to create resources/activities to use during teaching.
- IT lessons - how to set up and operate equipment that can be used during teaching and assessing.
- useful tips for BSL teaching
The dates are
- Thursday 1 July in the north-west
- Tuesday 6 July 2010 in the south-west
For further information contact Joanne.Wears@signature.org.uk
02 Jun 10
Shaping the Future of BSL Teaching in UK
Make an impact in Shaping the Future of BSL Teaching in the UK
Are you interested in Deaf Sign Language Teachers perspective on the future of BSL teaching?
Why not join us in a one day workshop that will look at improving skills training and support structure for BSL Teachers.
The workshop is on 24 June 2010 at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) but you must register by 9 June 2010. For more details click here (opens new browser window) or contact Hanna Eichmann at HEichmann@uclan.ac.uk
05 May 10
BSL Level 3 NVQ Certificate Programme in Cornwall
- Are you interested in attending a BSL Level 3 NVQ Certificate Programme?
- Do you live in Cornwall or the surrounding area?
If you answered yes to both of these questions then this will be of interest to you.
The I-Sign project is working hard to increase the availability of BSL classes across the South West by training more teachers.
As a result we now have a BSL Teacher who is keen to run a BSL Level 3 Programme in Cornwall and we want you to tell us if there is a need for this course. Please register your interest on this survey form. The programme will be open to people who are deaf or hearing. The closing date for registering interest is 31 July 2010.
For more information please email information@i-sign.info
05 May 10
Tops Tips for BSL Teachers CPD events postponed
Due to circumstances beyond our control we are sad to announce the postponement of the CPD events scheduled for 10-11 May in the South West and North West of England.
New dates to follow on this page shortly.
31 Mar 10
Fantastic events for teachers of BSL in north-west and south-west England (amended date)
Signature are holding Top Tips for BSL teaching, a fantastic event for the continuing professional development of teachers of BSL in north-west and south-west England.
These events will include:
- tips on how to create resources/activites to use during teaching.
- IT lessons - How to set up and operate equipment that can used be during teaching and assessing.
- Useful tips for BSL teaching
Monday 10 May 2010 - North-west venue to be confirmed
Tuesday 11 May 2010 - South-west venue to be confirmed
For further information contact Joanne.Wears@signature.org.uk
20 Apr 10
Free Family Sign Language Course coming to Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol
Are you the parent of a deaf child aged 0-5? Are you interested in learning sign language as a family?
If so, join a family sign language course in Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol and learn sign language in a fun and friendly environment.
02 Mar 10
Individual Interpreter Development Programme in South West England
Do you want to be a BSL/English Interpreter?
This course is for you if you:
- have achieved Level 3 or higher in BSL
- wish to achieve Level 4 in BSL
- wish to receive practical and theoretical training
- would like an individually tailored programme taught by highly qualified experienced practitioners
- want assessment, guidance and constructive feedback
- would like to register with NRCPD as a Junior Trainee Interpreter.
For more information and dates for Information and Selection days please contact Linda Gray linda.gray@rnid.org.uk or call 07939 169120.
17 Mar 10
Free Family Sign Language Course in Camborne - Sign up now !!
Are you the parent of a deaf child aged 0-5? Are you interested in learning sign language as a family?
If so, join a family sign language course and learn sign language in a fun and friendly environment starting on Saturday 22nd May 2010.
For more information (opens new browser window)17 Mar 10
Teacher Training in BSL - places still available
Are you interested in achieving a teaching qualification? Would you like to be taught in BSL?
UCLan are looking for people who are teaching or want to teach BSL and achieve a teaching qualification. The course will be taught in BSL and will cover:- Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
- Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector Associate Teacher Award (CTLLS).Download 2010 course details and dates. (opens new browser window)
This is a fantastic opportunity so please email Hanna Eichman heichmann@uclan.ac.uk to register your interest.
16 Feb 10
Free family sign language course in Liverpool
Are you the parent of a deaf child aged 0-5? Are you interested in learning sign language as a family?
If so, join a family sign language course and learn sign language in a fun and friendly environment on 20 February.
16 Feb 10
Signature event on Sociolinguistics - places still available
Signature are organising a CPD event on Sociolinguistics in Exeter entitled "How do people use BSL"
01 Feb 10
BSL teacher training course
Are you interested in achieving a teaching qualification? Would you like to be taught in BSL?
UCLan are looking for people who are teaching or want to teach BSL and achieve a teaching qualification. The course will be taught in BSL and will cover:- Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
- Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector Associate Teacher Award (CTLLS).Download 2010 course details and dates. (opens new browser window)
This is a fantastic opportunity so please email Hanna Eichman heichmann@uclan.ac.uk to register your interest.
01 Feb 10
Now available - Free family sign language course in Exeter
Are you the parent of a deaf child aged 0-5? Are you interested in learning sign language as a family?
If so, join a family sign language course and learn sign language in a fun and friendly environment.
13 Mar 09
Sign Language skills in the North West set to soar
Merseyside Society for Deaf People (MSDP) is part of the largest ever sign language project focused on the needs of deaf children.
20 Jul 09
Learning and Skills Council Funds Better Support for Deaf Children in Schools and Colleges
The support given to deaf children in schools and colleges in the south west is set to improve after the Deaf Academy in Exeter was awarded a grant by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
25 Jun 09
Government invests £800,000 in future provision of sign language for deaf children
A consortium of deaf charities and educational establishments has been awarded almost £800,000 by the Government to ensure the future provision and improve the status of British Sign Language (BSL) for deaf children in England.
05 Mar 09
Sign Language skills in the South West set to soar
Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education (the Academy) is taking part in 'I -Sign' the largest ever project to ensure the future provision and improve the status of British Sign Language (BSL) for deaf children in England.
05 Mar 09
Sign Language skills in the South West set to soar
Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education is part of the largest ever sign language project focused on the needs of deaf children.
03 Feb 10
We need your feedback
As you may be aware, Signature has been working on developing a new qualification for Communication Support Workers (CSWs).
The Government has accepted there is a need for an accredited initial professional development opportunity to be available for those undertaking this role. Funding has been made available by the DCSF to the I-Sign Project, whose overall aim is to improve BSL provision and status for deaf children and families.
Early research carried out by Signature found that there is a shortage of appropriately qualified CSWs across all sectors of education. Also, due to the absence of nationally recognised and accredited training for CSWs, employers have reported confusion about the role and suitable qualifications.
We are now asking people what they think about the proposals we have made. The consultation will take place between Monday 1 February and Monday 22 February 2010.
If you have any further questions, please email Joanne Wears at Signature: joanne.wears@signature.org.uk.