§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers there are at present in schools for the deaf; how many have a special qualification in the education of deaf children; and how many are themselves deaf.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonIn January 1977, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 886 full-time qualified teachers in special schools in England and Wales attended by deaf pupils, of whom 627 held a recognised additional qualification for teaching pupils with auditory handicaps. In addition there were 99 qualified part-time teachers in these schools, but it is not known how many of these had an additional qualification, or whether any of the total teaching force were themselves deaf.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether her Department has had any discussions with the corresponding departments in other countries about the employment of deaf teachers in deaf schools.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which deaf schools have been visited by exchange teachers of the deaf; whether she is satisfied with the number of teachers of the deaf taking part in exchanges; and by what methods her Department publicises information about exchange visits for teachers of the deaf.
§ Miss Margaret Jackson11 British teachers of the deaf have so far taken part in the official teacher exchange schemes with the Commonwealth and the USA. The schools concerned are:
Opportunities are limited by the difficulties of finding an appropriate overseas 294W partner, but the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges is exploring means of increasing the number of exchanges for teachers of handicapped children, including the deaf. My Department publicises teacher exchange schemes in an annual administrative memorandum which is widely distributed, and goes to every local education authority. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.
- Elmfield, Bristol.
- Stannington, Northumberland.
- Beechwood, Aberdeen.
- Frank Barnes, London.
- Royal Residential Schools for the Deaf.
- Pendower, Newcastle.
- Hawkswood School for the Deaf, Waltham Forest.
- Telford School, Manchester.
- Beechdale School, Nottingham.
- Condover Hall School, Condover.
- Norfolk Park School, Sheffield.