Education

Council makes first appointment of deaf Teaching Assistant to support deaf student

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2022

WHEN Teaching Assistant Emma Day works 1:1 with pupil Evelyn Smoothy at Ysgol Clydau she knows exactly how it feels to learn as a deaf young person in Pembrokeshire.

Emma, 21, is deaf herself, and her recruitment to the post is believed to be the first appointment of its type in a mainstream school in Wales.

As a former pupil, Emma was known to the teachers of the deaf in Pembrokeshire and encouraged to apply for the position at Ysgol Clydau by the Sensory Support Service.

Emma has previously volunteered in schools in Pembrokeshire and was awarded ‘Student of the Year’ at Pembrokeshire College for 2020-21.

Emma said: “It’s amazing. I thought as a deaf person it would be really difficult for me to get a job.

“I can now pass on all my experience as a deaf learner and hope Evelyn will be able to achieve even more than I have in the future.”

Emma accesses her employment through the Access to Work Scheme, a scheme that offers additional support to individuals with disability needs.

British Sign Language interpreters work with Emma to translate spoken language into BSL, and vice versa, to enable Emma to support Evelyn and to access all other aspects of her role within the school.

Deafness can wrongly be seen as a barrier to employment. Some employers may struggle to understand how a deaf employee can do their job if they can’t communicate effectively and access information in the workplace.

However, this appointment aims to enhance the working and learning lives of adults and pupils at the school, including of course, Evelyn.

Emma’s appointment marks a change in Wales and will provide just what her pupil needs; a Learning Support Assistant who not only understands how a deaf pupil learns but who is also able to give her access to the curriculum through native BSL.

Catherine Davies, Specialist Advisory Teacher of the Deaf, said: “Emma as a deaf young lady will provide a positive role model for her pupil and will allow the school to witness inclusion at its best.

“Who knows, maybe a third language – that of BSL – will find its way onto the curriculum at Ysgol Clydau in the not-so-distant future.”

Annette Thomas, Sensory and EAL Team lead, added: “This is exciting. Emma will be an asset to the school and this is a real step forward in the support of our deaf pupils here in Pembrokeshire.”

Pictured with Emma Day (left) are Suzanne Pearton-Scale, (British Sign Language (BSL) registered interpreter) Catherine Davies, Annette Thomas, Sion Jones (Headteacher) and pupil Evelyn Smoothy.

Education

Milford Haven School first to achieve gold in carer’s scheme

Published

4 days ago

November 1, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL have been recognised for their commitment to and support for young carers and is the first school to achieve the top level award.

The school have achieved the Investors in Carers Gold Level award for its work for learners and staff who are carers.

The scheme is delivered by Hywel Dda University Health Board and supported by local authority and third sector partners in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Investors in Carers initiative was originally designed to help health facilities such as GP practices, areas within hospitals and other organisations focus on and improve their carer awareness.

This scheme has now extended to many other teams, services, and organisations. It is a scheme that provides a foundation for helping to identify and support unpaid carers of all ages.

Milford Haven School was assessed against the six themes within the scheme: Carer Lead, Staff training, Identification, Information and Support for carers and Evaluation.

Janette Reynolds, Assistant Head Teacher said: “We are incredibly honoured to receive the Gold Investors in Carers Award, it is a testament to our commitment to supporting and recognizing the invaluable contributions of carers within our community. It was about developing a culture that respects, empowers, and advocates for the wellbeing of carers at Milford Haven School.

“We will continue to strive towards providing the best possible support, ensuring carers feel valued and equipped to balance their responsibilities.”

Pembrokeshire County Council Carers Champion, Councillor Mike James said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. Everyone at Milford Haven School should be extremely proud of their hard work and commitment that has led to them becoming the first school in Pembrokeshire to receive the Gold Investors in Carers award.

“The award recognises the awareness and support for carers provided by the school and this is to be congratulated.”

A carer is someone, of any age, who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. Anyone can become a carer; in most cases becoming a carer is not out of choice, it just happens.

For more information about the Investors in Carers scheme or for useful advice for carers, please visit: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/carers

Education

Kurtz calls for better conditions for supply teachers

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Richard Lewis

WEST WALES members of the National Education Union visited the Senedd on Wednesday to campaign for increased rights for those working as supply teachers employed through teaching agencies.

Commenting following the visit, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Member of the Welsh Parliament, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “It does not seem right that those opting to work as supply teachers are not afforded the same rights, pay and conditions as their full time, local authority employed counterparts.

“The flexibility that supply teachers offer our schools is essential to pupils being able to maintain a good level of education, covering staff sickness and training absences.

“My concern is that with the education line in the Welsh Government’s supplementary budget for 2024/25 showing a cut, the Cabinet Secretary has no intention of addressing these concerns.

“If we fail to demonstrate the value we place on the whole teaching workforce, we run the very real risk of being unable to improve the educational outcomes of pupils in Wales.”

Education

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA to host open evening at Dewi Campus this week

Published

2 weeks ago

October 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN ST DAVID’S Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA will hold an Open Evening on Thursday, October 24 at its Dewi Campus in Millard Park, St Davids, Haverfordwest.

The event, scheduled from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, invites prospective students and their families to learn more about the school’s offerings.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the campus, meet with staff, and discover the school’s emphasis on achievement, inclusion, and respect. This event is designed to provide a comprehensive insight into the academic and extracurricular opportunities available at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA.

Prospective families can expect a warm welcome from the staff and a chance to engage with current students, gaining a firsthand understanding of the school’s community and values.