The DRP

We currently provide support for 6 deaf children with a severe to profound hearing loss.

They are fully integrated into mainstream school life, taking part in lessons and extra curricular activities alongside their hearing peers. However, they also have the support on site of specialist staff and a deaf peer group.  Our team is made up of two fully qualified teachers of the deaf, three specialist learning support assistants and a Deaf instructor.

Having deaf and hearing friends helps them to develop a positive self image and sense of identity within the school community preparing them for life in a hearing and deaf society.  At Bentley West we believe the children have the best of both worlds! 

Meet the Team

Mrs Richmond is the Deaf Base Teacher. They can be contacted on 01922 720792 or send@bentleywest.co.uk and are available on the main gate in the mornings in case you have any questions or concerns. Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss your child in more detail, or alternatively, you can speak to the SEND team at Parents' Evenings where they offer a drop in service, Mrs Richmond will arrange specific appointments.  

Deaf Peer Education (DFE) Sessions

All of the Deaf children have a daily session in the Deaf Base classroom to work alongside their Deaf peers. These sessions are bespoke to the children's needs and include topics they may need additional experience of, Deaf culture and language development activities. 

In this term’s DPE sessions the children will be learning about:

• Current affairs and news around the world.

• Language development, 'collective nouns' and visual literacy.

• 'How to be extraordinary' - Famous and inspirational people. 

• Multi-channel signs.

• Deaf role models - creating fact files about them and hopefully meeting some.

• Black History Month