We are proud to have supported Park Lane Special School since 2002, helping children and teachers communicate. Park Lane was first introduced to Signalong in 2001 after a member of staff heard about us from a friend. The head teacher decided introducing Signalong would be beneficial to the school and its students. Before the introduction of Signalong, Gareth French from Park Lane School said: “we had some students with very limited communication who understandably could become upset and frustrated when not being able to communicate their needs or interact with a communication partner, leading to challenging behaviour and/or distress for the students.”
Park Lane is located in Cheshire with approximately 140 pupils on roll from Year Reception to Sixth Form. Their vision is to create a highly effective learning environment which equips pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to prepare them for the next steps in education and their journey into adulthood. Gareth added: “Signalong gives our signing pupils far greater independence to say what they want or need and to facilitate speech across the school. Signalong is used throughout the day across the school which can really benefit language development. Signalong allows increased processing time as it slows the speech of the staff and students alike and can lead to greater understanding.”
Park Lane Special School Logo
About Park Lane School
Park Lane School caters for students aged 2-19 years old who have a range of learning and communication difficulties, their students have a variety of sensory, physical, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Park Lane School has a mixture of students who are non-verbal, with most students using some form or AAC either unaided like Signalong or aided including voice output devices, depending on the students’ skills and preferences. Park Lane School have always had two registered Tutors in the school since 2002, providing regular training to staff.
When asked how introducing Signalong has helped the children in the School, Gareth commented: “lots of our students really enjoy learning new signs and using signs in songs like our Christmas performance. Signalong can also be really beneficial when dealing with challenging behaviour. Students who use and understand Signalong can then be shown a sign that might help them to start regulating their behaviour and calm themselves down.”
All the teachers at Park Lane School have taken part in a Foundation Course and have been taught the vocabulary from our Phase 1 manual. Gareth commented: “We use Signalong to enrich topics and learn signs based around lessons and schemes of work. Our students’ engagement and learning definitely improves when Signalong is used in class as it gives them another way to receive the information they are being taught and communicate their ideas and knowledge on a subject.”
The school use Signalong throughout the day, saying good morning at the door through and during circle time where they discuss the day, date, month and the weather. Teachers also use Signalong during lessons and teach key signs based on the class topic and display many of our posters around the school. When asked how they have integrated Signalong into the school’s daily routine, Gareth added: “Students use Signalong when ordering lunches. We use Signalong at playtimes when communicating with students and with our Core Vocabulary programme, alongside reading time, in assembly.”
Signalong for Learners
For the past 2 years, Park Lane School has extended their Signalong for Learners programme. Now the school runs the programme throughout key stage four and allows its students to gain accreditation and showcase their achievements for the Signalong skills and knowledge they have learnt throughout their school life.
We offer several courses under our Signalong for Learners programme including:
- Elementary course at Pre-Entry level
- Beginners One at Entry level 1
- Beginners Two at Entry level 2
- Peer Learning at Entry level 3
- Introductory at level 1
- Intermediate level 2
When asked about whether Park Lane School would recommend Signalong to others in a similar situation, Gareth commented: “I would strongly recommend other special schools adopt Signalong and use it in all areas. It helps to facilitate speech and language development and gives students another tool they can use to communicate independently.”
Find out more
To find out more about Park Lane School and the curriculum they offer, visit https://www.parklaneschool.co.uk/