Staff at Newbarns Primary and Nursery School are mastering Makaton to support pupils with learning and communication difficulties.
A team of 16 staff have started learning Level 1 of the programme, which uses signs, symbols and speech to help understanding.
They are being led by specialist Sign Makaton tutor Karen Baxter in group sessions at the school on Rising Side in Barrow.
Deputy Headteacher Victoria Fitzgibbons said staff had been enthusiastic to learn the system for the benefit of the pupils and had picked up sentences even after the first session.
“Last year we looked at visuals as a communication method and this is the next step to enhance our signing language,” she said.
“Some of our children haven’t got any other method of communication and this gives them a voice.
“It has already had a really big impact after just a couple of weeks with staff signing to children in the classroom and corridors with our signs of the week.
“It is a simple system as you do not have to sign every word for pupils to get the gist of what you are saying. Television programmes such as Mr Tumble use this system so it will really enhance the pupils’ learning experience.”
The workshops have started at Level 1 and include teaching staff and staff from the Hive – the school’s provision for children with additional needs – as well as the nursery.
As the staff progress to the next level of learning, another cohort will start with the aim to ensure all staff eventually have an understanding of Makaton. The staff are also sharing a Monday Makaton on social media so children, staff and parents can start to pick up words and phrases.
Newbarns Primary and Nursery School is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.
“When we do events across the Trust the aim is that our children will be able to talk to children in other schools who also use Makaton,” said Mrs Fitzgibbons.
ENDS