Awards
There are a number of awards schools can apply for. Some are Northumberland-specific, others are recognised regionally and nationally
The Northumberland Deaf Friendly Education Award
This is a self-evaluation tool to be used by SENDCos and senior leadership teams in schools and settings in collaboration with specialist Sensory Support staff.
It requires evidence linked to the sections below:
- Leadership and Management
- Transition
- The Physical Environment
- Deaf Learners
- Teaching and Learning
- Working in Partnership
How to achieve the award
The Deaf Friendly Education Award helps schools and settings to review and celebrate their strengths and identify areas for improvement with regards to accessibility and inclusivity for deaf learners.
There are four steps to achieving the award:
Step 1: Use the standards in the Deaf Friendly Education Award to provide a baseline for what has currently been achieved by the school/ setting.
Step 2: Create an action plan for areas for improvement.
Step 3: Share reflections and evidence with the school/setting's visiting QToD/QTMSI
Step 4: The Award will be presented when the action plan is complete, and the school/setting has shared evidence with their visiting QToD/QTMSI.
The Award will be reviewed on a 3 yearly basis to ensure standards of inclusivity are maintained.
Not all standards will be relevant to every school and setting. Some standards will depend on the age and cohort of learners. This tool has been designed to be used flexibly.
Each education setting will be different. However, when the award was piloted, the Sensory Support Teacher met with the SENCo of a large primary school for a 90 minute meeting to go through the standards. From this we drew up an action plan. We plan to have a follow up meeting of an hour approximately 3 months later.
If you are interested in applying for the award, please speak to your visiting Sensory Support Teacher or contact Rebecca Marshall via rebecca.marshall@northumberland.gov.uk
The North East Vision Friendly Schools Award
The Standard is a self-evaluation tool to be used by senior leadership teams in schools.
It requires evidence linked to the sections below:
• Leadership and Management
• Transition
• The Physical Environment
How to achieve the award
One of the core functions of the Local Authority is to enable and challenge schools around their accessibility and inclusivity. The Vision Friendly Schools Award helps schools to review their strengths and areas for improvement.
Assessment will be via local arrangements and will include qualified specialists from the area of sensory impairment and a SEND advisor/consultant.
There are three steps to achieving the award:
Step 1 Use the standards in the Vision Friendly Schools to provide a baseline for what has currently been achieved by school.
Step 2 As you move through the document notice the bullet points. Standards next to a circle (bullet point) are those which indicate a ‘good’ level of practice. Those with a star (bullet point) indicate ‘outstanding’ practice.
Step 3 Create a Portfolio of Evidence (this can be electronic or paper based)
Step 4 Include key actions in the school’s Development Plan with timescales for achievements. Add this to your evidence portfolio.
Step 5 The Award will be presented when the Action Plan is complete, and the school has submitted a portfolio of evidence.
If you are interested in applying for the award, please speak to your visiting Sensory Support Teacher or contact Rebecca Marshall via rebecca.marshall@northumberland.gov.uk