office@sgschool.org.uk
01892 527444St Francis de Sales Centre for the Deaf
About Us
The St Francis de Sales Centre for the Deaf (SFDSCD) has been dedicated to supporting D/deaf students for over 21 years. Originally established as the Deaf Resource Base, the centre has since expanded to include bespoke, acoustically treated classrooms and an audiology room - ensuring an optimal learning environment for our students.
Our team of seven highly trained professionals is led by Mr Gary Callahan-Ferris, the Headteacher of The St Francis de Sales Centre for the Deaf, who is a Qualified Teacher of the Deaf with over 25 years of experience in D/deaf education and is a qualified British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter. Mr Callahan-Ferris is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, nurturing, and empowering educational experience.
For any further information about the SFDSCD, please contact Mr Callahan-Ferris on gcallahan-ferris@sgschool.org.uk
Our Team
Our dedicated team brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to support our students. It includes:
- Senior Sensory Communication Support Worker
- Specialist HLTA for the Deaf
- Specialist Teaching Assistants for the Deaf (qualified at BSL Level 2 and 3)
Additionally, a Speech and Language Therapist visits weekly to provide tailored support for our students.
Our Approach: Total Communication and Deaf Curriculum
At SFDSCD, we believe in a ‘Total Communication’ approach, ensuring each student receives the support they need to thrive. This means we use a combination of sign language, spoken language, and written communication - tailored to the unique needs of every child.
Alongside the mainstream curriculum, we offer a specialist Deaf curriculum that includes:
- British Sign Language (BSL) development
- Deaf identity and culture
- Self-advocacy and confidence-building
- Deaf history and contributions to society
This ensures that students not only achieve academic success, but also develop a strong sense of identity and belonging.
How We Support Our Students
Our D/deaf students are fully integrated into mainstream lessons with the support of Specialist Teaching Assistants. To enhance their learning experience, students also receive:
- Timetabled 1:1 study sessions with a Teacher of the Deaf, Higher Level Teaching assistants and Specialist Teaching Assistants, focusing on English, Maths and subject-specific vocabulary.
- Communication books which are updated in each lesson to track content, new vocabulary, and homework, ensuring targeted support.
Fostering Inclusion, Awareness, and Deaf Role Models
We are committed to full inclusion and encourage our students to participate in the wider school community. To promote understanding, we offer Deaf Awareness training for both staff and students, ensuring a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
We also believe that representation matters. Our students have the opportunity to meet and learn from Deaf role models, including professionals, artists and athletes. These experiences help students develop aspirations, confidence, and an understanding of the many opportunities available to them.
Enrichment and Beyond
Education goes beyond the classroom. At SFDSCD, we provide a range of enrichment opportunities, including:
- Signing Club offering BSL lessons to both D/deaf and hearing students.
- Extracurricular activities that encourage interaction, confidence-building, and personal growth.
- Work experience and transition support helping students prepare for college, university, and the workplace, with a focus on D/deaf-friendly opportunities.
At the St Francis de Sales Centre for the Deaf, we are more than just a learning environment - we are a community that nurtures, empowers, and supports every child on their journey to success.
