Deaf News: Deaf students fall a whole GCSE grade behind for the sixth year running

Deaf students achieved an entire grade less than their hearing peers in 2020, in an attainment gap which has appeared for the sixth year in a row.

Analysis from the National Deaf Children’s Society has revealed that while the average score for hearing pupils last year was a grade five, deaf pupils’ average grade was grade four – known as a “standard pass”.

The news comes a week after the charity found that only a third of England’s deaf students secured two A-Levels last year – an increasing gap which they describe as an “injustice now ingrained in the education system”.

Commenting on the findings, chief executive Susan Daniels said the results are “yet more stark evidence” that deaf pupils aren’t receiving the necessary support.

“Deafness isn’t a learning disability so there’s no reason why they should achieve less than hearing children, yet they consistently do. This should seriously concern everyone involved in the education of deaf pupils.

“The Government’s upcoming SEND Review is a golden opportunity to fix a broken system and make it work for everyone. This should start with investing in specialist staff, making sure any catch-up sessions are fully accessible and giving every deaf pupil the same chance to reach their potential,” she said.

First announced in September 2019, the UK Government’s review into special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) looks to “improve the services available to families who need support, equip staff in schools and colleges to respond effectively to their needs” and end the “postcode lottery” they face.

NDCS say the system is “broken”, and that while there have been improvements in technology and the early identification of deafness, the gap shows “little sign” of closing.

Other figures released by the charity show that just over a third (35.1%) of deaf children gained a grade five in both English and Maths, compared to more than half (55.8%) of hearing pupils.

Attainment 8 data was first published in 2015, and since then, Teachers of the Deaf have fallen by 10 percent, from 995 to 903.

NDCS is now calling on the Department for Education to introduce a ToD bursary to train “hundreds more” professionals – a scheme which it says will “replace those who have been lost”.

“Every child in this country has been promised a superb education, so it’s time to start delivering on that for deaf children too,” Daniels added.

In a statement, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “We know the last year has proven especially challenging for many children with additional needs, including hearing impairments.

“That’s why we are increasing high needs funding for children with more complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by over a third, to £8.9 billion in financial year 2022-23, compared to 2019-20.

“We are also providing £3 billion for education recovery, which includes funding that schools can use flexibly to support pupils with SEND.”

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.