A Pembrokeshire school has introduced a deaf teaching assistant to work one-to-one with a deaf pupil.

Emma Day has started working with pupil Evelyn Smoothy at Ysgol Clydau, where Emma was once a pupil.

Emma, 21, and her recruitment to the post is believed to be the first appointment of its type in a mainstream school in Wales.

As a former pupil, Emma was known to the teachers of the deaf in Pembrokeshire and encouraged to apply for the position at Ysgol Clydau by the Sensory Support Service.

Emma has previously volunteered in schools in Pembrokeshire and was awarded ‘Student of the Year’ at Pembrokeshire College for 2020-21.

Milford Mercury: Emma Day, with Suzanne Pearton-Scale (BSL-registered interpreter), Catherine Davies, Annette Thomas, Sion Jones (headteacher) and pupil Evelyn SmoothyEmma Day, with Suzanne Pearton-Scale (BSL-registered interpreter), Catherine Davies, Annette Thomas, Sion Jones (headteacher) and pupil Evelyn Smoothy

Emma said: “It’s amazing. I thought as a deaf person it would be really difficult for me to get a job. 

“I can now pass on all my experience as a deaf learner and hope Evelyn will be able to achieve even more than I have in the future.”

British Sign Language interpreters work with Emma to translate spoken language into BSL, and vice versa, to enable Emma to support Evelyn and to access all other aspects of her role within the school. 

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Emma’s appointment to the school marks a change in Wales and will provide just what her pupil needs; a Learning Support Assistant who not only understands how a deaf pupil learns but who is also able to give her access to the curriculum through native BSL. 

Catherine Davies, specialist advisory teacher of the deaf, said: “Emma as a deaf young lady will provide a positive role model for her pupil and will allow the school to witness inclusion at its best. 

“Who knows, maybe a third language – that of BSL – will find its way onto the curriculum at Ysgol Clydau in the not-so-distant future.”

Annette Thomas, sensory and EAL Team lead, added: “This is exciting. Emma will be an asset to the school and this is a real step forward in the support of our deaf pupils here in Pembrokeshire.”