Delamere School has been using Signalong since 2007, when Trafford Borough Council adopted it as the primary Sign Supported Communication system across the borough. Lauren Macleod, Signalong Tutor at Delamere commented: “Trafford chose Signalong because the descriptions given to describe the signing are very clear and specific because the hand shape and orientation are detailed for each individual sign” (Trafford Signs & Symbols Guidance- AAC, 2018)”
Signalong at Delamere
Delamere School provides Signalong training to every member of staff when they join the school. They share bespoke videos which are sent as part of their new start pack, including core vocabulary and vocabulary specific to different roles within the school. New members of staff also participate in weekly Signalong workshops (which are also open to all members of staff), ensuring those who teach in classes with children who use Signalong as their chosen method of communication take part to refresh their skills and knowledge. Lauren added: “We have a culture of sharing good practice and as a Signalong tutor, I strive to demonstrate high quality signing at all times in the school day. Often, this will lead to other staff asking about signs or enquiring on how to sign certain vocabulary- I feel this contributes to keeping the profile of Signalong high throughout our school day and curriculum.”
Many daily routines are supported by signing, providing support for comprehension, and supporting their understanding of daily routines. The school has even integrated Signalong into their music curriculum by creating a signing choir. The choir has performed in front of large audiences including social work conferences, care homes and local Christmas fairs and get invited back year after year. Lauren added: “We also have close links with our local adopted care home- during COVID we did Signalong with us sessions where we taught the residents signs to our favourite songs, then we sung and signed together. We continue to share our signing skills with the care home during our visits to them such as sharing books on world book day, Easter activities, Christmas crafts days etc.”
Watch Delamere student, Mason, demonstrate his newly learnt signs below
About Delamere School
Based in Manchester, Delamere is a school for children aged between 3 and 11 years old with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Many of the schools' pupils have complex learning difficulties, including autism spectrum disorder and sensory difficulties, with other pupils having profound and multiple learning difficulties and medical needs. Each child has an Educational Health & Care Plan (EHCP) outlining the child’s individual needs, including their communication needs and strategies to support them. When asked what challenges the school faced before the introduction of Signalong, Lauren shared: “Due to the nature of our setting, children will always face some degree of difficulty with communication. Before introducing a sign-supported system, it is likely that there were children who may not have had access to a suitable method of communication- this may have had a profound impact on their comprehension and expressive language.”
Delamere School adopts a total communication approach, which means it utilises a variety of communication methods tailored to the needs and abilities of each child. These methods include signing (including Canaan Barrie on-body signing), symbols, eye-pointing and use of electronic communication aids.
When asked if they’d noticed a difference in engagement or learning outcomes since introducing Signalong, Lauren commented: “As a communication champion, I do believe that using sign has contributed to increased engagement and reduced frustration in some children who struggle to make themselves understood or who find regulating their emotions difficult. When this is the case, the child’s overall readiness to learn is positively impacted which in turn typically results in improved learning outcomes.” Lauren continued: “We have encountered children who have high levels of anxiety around communication which impacts their engagement in school life. We feel that, when using sign, the reduction in verbal demand has positively impacted their social engagement. One child who particularly struggled with high levels of social anxiety, completed the Signalong for Learners accreditation which saw her confidence in communicating grow massively.”
Lauren added: “For children who use Signalong as their preferred communication method, or who respond positively to signing, the following has been seen:
- Children are given the opportunity to have their voice heard using their chosen method of communication
- A lot of children enjoy using and learning sign even if they don’t use it as their preferred communication method.
- Using Signalong has helped to highlight the importance of processing time and using key vocabulary appropriate to the child’s level.
- Children enjoy watching adults signing- this positively impacts their attention and engagement which are the building blocks of early communication
Signalong for Leaners
Signalong for Learners is an accredited programme designed to help individuals develop the skills needed to perform and recognise Signalong signs. The courses are mapped to the UK’s Speech, Language and Communication Needs Framework (SLCF), ensuring the content is ‘fit for purpose’ and is relevant using appropriate methods of assessment.
Signalong for Learners has been built into Delamere’s enrichment offer and each year, children are selected to work towards gaining their qualification. Delamere has seen 7 children leave for High School with an Entry Level 1 or 2 qualification. Lauren commented: “We celebrate this massive achievement with a graduation ceremony where families are invited to share the children’s achievements and have a party! We are also extremely proud to have taught a pupil whose Signalong accreditation evidence has been chosen as an example to show at Signalong regional conferences. This child requested to do the accreditation after seeing his friend achieve the qualification the previous year and it had a massive impact on his behaviour, emotional regulation and self-esteem- a true Signalong success story!”
When asked if Delamere School would recommend Signalong to other Schools, Lauren commented: “Yes, I would recommend the use of Signalong as a sign-supported system. Signalong provides users with a wealth of sign vocabulary and clear instructions on how to perform them, ensuring continuity and accuracy. As a Signalong trainer, access to the online sign library has proved to be an invaluable resource. The system is easy to use, and the addition of video demonstrations has led to some staff becoming more confident in independently searching for signs.
Lauren added: “The availability of the Signalong for Learners accreditation would play a role in recommending Signalong. Children who have gained this qualification have massively increased their confidence and self-esteem, something which was also extended to their wider families too.”
Find out more
To find out more about Signalong for Learners or how Signalong could benefit your child or school please email admin@signalong.org.uk.
To find out more about Delamere School, please visit https://www.delamere.trafford.sch.uk/