Deaf Student, 9, Expresses Frustration Over Interpreter Absence

A nine-year-old girl, who is deaf from birth, has expressed anger over her inability to attend school due to her local council’s failure to secure a specialist interpreter for her. Maisie has been absent from Broseley C of E Primary School in Shropshire for a period of six weeks, following the departure of her former interpreter earlier in the current year. Her mother, Suzanne, stated that her daughter felt disappointed by the insufficient educational assistance provided. Shropshire Council indicated that locating specialist and appropriately qualified communication support workers (CSW) presented a challenge, particularly within a large rural county such as Shropshire. Communication Support Workers (CSWs) are employed in educational institutions including schools, colleges, and universities to facilitate student communication and learning. Maisie has been a student at the same school since nursery and has consistently received support from a dedicated one-to-one sign interpreter. “I feel angry and frustrated. I want to see my friends. I miss my school friends,” she said. The school confirmed that Maisie requires specialized one-to-one assistance, which they have been unable to provide since her permanent Communication Support Worker departed prior to the summer break. Maisie, currently receiving temporary home education in Broseley, is now required to travel 20 miles (32km) to commence attendance at a new deaf resource base school located in Wolverhampton. “I feel sad and I am not happy. She needs to go back to school. Her education is so important,” her mum said. “She feels very let down. Because Shropshire education… they are responsible for Maisie’s education.” Shropshire Council stated that Maisie had received support from the same Communication Support Worker for several years until their departure in May. “The school advertised for a new CSW immediately but received no applications for the role,” it said. The council further indicated that a position at a specialist deaf resource base had been secured, and Maisie is scheduled to begin her attendance there following the half-term break. “The school will continue to support Maisie until she begins her placement,” a spokesperson added.