Deaf pupils "left behind"

Deaf children are needlessly falling behind their hearing peers at school, says a children’s charity.

The National Deaf Children’s Society says the education system is failing deaf children and is calling on the government to make sure local authorities provide parents and schools with the resources they need to support deaf children.

Currently there is an attainment gap between deaf and hearing children, with deaf children less likely to achieve the benchmark of five GCSEs at grades A to C.

NDCS chief executive Susan Daniels said, “Deafness is not a learning disability. There is absolutely no reason why deaf children without additional needs should not be achieving on a par with their hearing peers.

A comprehensive strategy is needed to meet the needs of deaf children says NDCS, and governments should give leadership, set standards and provide funding to make sure no deaf child is left behind.