A HAMPSHIRE primary school teacher has been recognised at a House of Commons event after being nominated by a deaf pupil who she went above and beyond to support.

Hayley Fisher-Smith received her award at the Power of Speech event in the House of Commons on Tuesday (June 14), which celebrated the inspiring achievements of deaf young people and highlighted the urgent need for investment to ensure all deaf children can reach their potential.

The prestigious event was hosted by Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) whose vision is for all deaf children to have the same opportunities in life as their hearing peers. While some deaf children will learn British Sign Language, some will learn to talk, and some will use both, opportunities in life are transformed when they have access to support in the critical first few years of their lives.

Hayley, now a teacher at Ropley Church of England Primary School was nominated by 7-year-old Isabelle Cavanough and her Mum Elise, from Alton, who she taught and supported when she was in reception class at Bentley Church of England School, two years ago.

She said: “I was so surprised to receive this award. Isabelle was the first – and currently only – deaf child I have ever taught but the support and guidance I received from Isabelle and her Mum was invaluable. Working closely with the family and other professionals including those from AVUK was a great experience and I was very appreciative of Isabelle and her family's thoughtfulness in taking the time to nominate me for the teacher award. “

Isabelle’s Mum Elise added: “Miss Fisher-Smith really did go above and beyond to not only welcome Isabelle to her class in her first year at Bentley CofE Primary school but ensure she was doing well too. It was a pleasure to work with her and share the things we learned from AVUK and it was her awareness, attention to detail and collaboration which also identified some issues meaning adjustments could be made to her cochlear implants quickly avoiding Isabelle falling behind. She loves school, in large part to feeling secure, supported and understood from the outset of her school journey in Miss Fisher-Smith’s Reception class.”

Isabelle lost her hearing at 16 months of age, following meningitis. She is now severely deaf and wears a cochlear implant in her left ear and a hearing aid in her right.

Hayley is teaching at a different school but now in Year 2 Isabelle continues to keep pace with her hearing peers in her mainstream village school in East Hampshire.

Anita Grover, AVUK chief executive, added: “Our amazing event celebrated what deaf children can achieve and why it is so important that families are able to access timely and effective support in the critical first few years of their child’s lives. Far too many deaf children are underachieving at school, have poorer employment prospects and are at higher risk of poor mental health, bullying and social exclusion. And that really should not be the case. When children have access to effect and early support, opportunities in life are transformed.

“We are so proud of Isabelle. It has been wonderful to see the support that she has received in school from Hayley Fisher-Smith and how she has worked in conjunction with Isaballe’s parents, the team at AVUK and other professionals. Seeing her receive her award from Isabelle who spoke to the audience from the stage at the House of Commons was inspiring.”

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