Pupils lend helping hand with school art project

SCHOOLCHILDREN have created a new art installation at a train station to inspire passengers.

The art project is designed to highlight the work done at Alma Park Primary School in Levenshulme to support hearing impaired and deaf children. The hands of 11 hearing-impaired children from the school are featured in the artwork spelling out Levenshulme in sign language.

“Sign language is highly valued as one of the many languages used by our school community,” said Charles Parfitt, headteacher at Alma Park. All our children and staff enjoy the opportunities to learn British Sign Language through lessons, assemblies, activities and song. Alma Park is exceptionally proud to be the only designated resource provision for deaf children who require signed support to access the curriculum.”

The school on Errwood Road has taught deaf pupils since 1994. The specialist schoolbased team from Manchester’s Sensory Service teach pupils through a combination of spoken English and sign language and will spend some of their time in the classroom alongside hearing children.

All pupils at the school are encouraged to learn and value signing as a community language.

“When our deaf children see the photos of their hands on display, we know they will be extremely excited as well as proud to share this with both their deaf and hearing friends,” added Mr Parfitt.

“It is a wonderful tribute to the inclusive nature of the Levenshulme community that British Sign Language is promoted in such a public and permanent form.”