Facilities & Partnerships
Primary School Information
Facilities
We have six purpose-built acoustically treated teaching rooms, with an interactive whiteboard in each classroom. The Foundation Stage classroom is based downstairs on the same corridor as the mainstream Nursery and Reception classrooms, which all lead out to a well equipped newly designed play area. This is a shared space for outdoor learning and the Foundation Stage staff teams from both schools meet weekly to plan activities.
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classrooms are upstairs on one corridor, which leads on to mainstream classrooms, enabling easy access to inclusion sessions. All facilities are shared spaces and our children access them either in their Blanche Nevile class or with their mainstream class. We have an ICT suite, fully stocked library, a music room, a cookery studio, an acoustically treated gymnasium, a kitchen and dining centre and carefully designed play areas.
Partnerships
Blanche Nevile School for deaf children and Highgate Primary School share the same school site and work in close partnership at all levels. Our children belong to a both a Blanche Nevile class and a Highgate Primary class and have many opportunities to work and play alongside their hearing peers. Throughout the year, pupils take part in PE lessons and other sporting activities and events, including sports days and competitions. Some of our primary pupils attend some of their core lessons in our partner school with support from our qualified Teachers of the Deaf and/or support staff. Assemblies, playtimes and lunchtimes are inclusive and staff from both schools are committed to supporting good quality inclusion in the classroom and beyond.
British Sign Language is widely used throughout the community. There is Deaf Awareness training for all staff and children, and a number of Blanche Nevile staff provide role models as Deaf adults. The schools have a signing / singing choir for deaf and hearing children and some of our children performed at the opening of the London 2012 Olympics ceremony! The schools are also fully accessible to those with physical disabilities.
Staff from both schools share expertise, knowledge and practice; have opportunities for joint training and work together to continually improve a fully inclusive school community.
For more information about Highgate Primary, please visit their website at http://www.highgateprimaryschool.co.uk/
Secondary School Information
Facilities
Blanche Nevile School's Secondary Department is housed in a purpose-built provision on the site of Fortismere School in Muswell Hill. As with the primary pupils, students follow child-centred inclusion programmes. Both primary and secondary departments work in partnership to ensure inclusion opportunities are maximised and developed. This unique partnership enables our pupils to benefit from specialist deaf education while also accessing a wide range of inclusive opportunities within a mainstream secondary school environment.
Each classroom is designed to reduce unnecessary noise. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards, PC's, and laptops for students. All our pupils use Fortismere's excellent sporting facilities. Our partner school also has extensive fields that we share for PE.
Partnerships
Our students have opportunities to learn, socialise and participate alongside their hearing peers. During break and lunchtime, pupils can choose to spend time in the Blanche Nevile area, where activities such as table tennis are available, or access wider opportunities across the Fortismere site. Throughout the year, pupils can take part in sporting activities and events, including football matches and competitions. Some of our secondary pupils attend the majority of their lessons in our partner school whilst at the same time receiving one to one individual support from our qualified Teachers of the Deaf and support staff.
British Sign Language is valued and widely used throughout our school community. Deaf awareness training is provided to staff and pupils, helping to develop understanding, effective communication and an inclusive culture. Blanche Nevile is also proud to have Deaf members of staff who provide positive role models and help promote Deaf identity, culture and pride.
Through our partnership with Fortismere, pupils benefit from access to excellent facilities, including specialist teaching spaces, sports halls, gyms and extensive outdoor playing fields. These facilities enhance learning, enrichment and physical development opportunities for our students.
Staff from both schools work collaboratively, sharing expertise, knowledge and best practice to continually strengthen and develop a fully inclusive learning community where every pupil feels valued, supported and able to achieve their potential.
For more information about Fortismere School, please visit their website at www.fortismere.haringey.sch.uk
