Celebrating Sign Language Week with the Lord Mayor

Last week (17 – 23 March) was Sign Language Week and we were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Razia Daniels to King’s to meet some of our Upper Sixth students who have been following an Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) course this term.

The course, run by DSN (Deaf & Sensory Network), began in January and runs through to the end of term. In its second year as part of our Sixth Form Enrichment programme, the course has been a popular addition to the many options on offer to students. 

The sessions are led by BSL tutor Amber Pane, who is deaf herself, providing students with an authentic and immersive learning experience.

Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Razia Daniels praised the initiative, which promotes inclusivity and communication skills among the students. 

She said: “It is fantastic to see young people in Chester embracing British Sign Language and learning how to communicate with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

“DSN’s work in providing this training is truly invaluable, and I commend The King’s School for its commitment to inclusivity.”

Gill Reeder, CEO of DSN, accompanied the Lord Mayor to The King’s School and highlighted the importance of such programmes.

She said: “We are delighted to be running our fourth BSL course at The King’s School. Equipping young people with the skills to communicate in sign language not only benefits them but also contributes to a more inclusive society. Seeing students engage so enthusiastically is incredibly rewarding.”

Kate Birch, Head of Sixth Form Enrichment at The King’s School, celebrated the effort of those involved, adding: “We are so proud of our students for dedicating their time to learning such an important skill.

“It is wonderful to see them practicing their BSL skills and to know they can support others in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. DSN have created an engaging course for our students which has grown from strength to strength, and we look forward to welcoming them back next year.”

DSN (Deaf & Sensory Network) is a leading charity supporting individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have other sensory needs. Established in 1976, DSN provides essential services, including communication support, advocacy, and training for deaf awareness and BSL from levels 1-6 and Level 6 Diploma through its dedicated training service, incus.