Cornwall School Incorporates British Sign Language into Nativity Play

Students at a school in Cornwall have been acquiring British Sign Language (BSL) as part of their Christmas nativity performance. Janine Clemence, a teaching assistant in year four at St Michael’s Primary School in Helston, stated, “All of the staff, the children, they’ve immersed themselves in learning sign language.” She added, “To see the children signing like they do it just makes my heart melt, it’s wonderful.” British Sign Language (BSL) is not currently integrated into the national curriculum, but schools possess the autonomy to teach it. Several staff members at the school, including teachers, teaching assistants, and receptionists, hold qualifications in BSL. Miss Clemence, who is deaf, commented, “A new child might watch me signing and then before you know it they’re starting to produce sign themselves.” She further emphasized, “That’s why it’s so important to have a deaf role model in a mainstream school.” Out of the 320 pupils enrolled at the school, four are deaf. When some of the children were asked about their experience learning to sign at school, they communicated through signing: “We love signing with our friends.” Miss Clemence articulated, “My vision really is for all mainstream schools to use British Sign Language because British Sign Language is not just for deaf people.” She elaborated, “It is a language that’s beneficial in so many way helping children read, helping children communicate in a variety of ways.” For further updates, follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not accountable for the content of external sites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is available.