Deaf Awareness Week 2025
Northern Counties celebrated Deaf Awareness Week (5th 鈥� 11th May) by sharing the beautiful language of British Sign Language (BSL) with local businesses and staff.
Northern Counties School first opened its doors in 1861 with a mission to support individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Today, the school continues to uphold this legacy, offering vital support through its dedicated Deaf department. Pupils are taught by qualified Teachers of the Deaf, with BSL forming an integral part of the curriculum.
Our students regularly share BSL with the local community through the BSL choir, where they were even showcased at the MOBOs earlier this year.
To celebrate National Deaf Awareness Week this year, our students proudly took the lead in teaching local businesses how to communicate using BSL. The theme for this year鈥檚 Deaf Awareness Week, Beyond Silence, shines a spotlight on breaking down barriers to accessibility for individuals with hearing loss. It also celebrates the many ways Deaf people communicate and highlights the depth and richness of Deaf culture.
Local businesses and some Foundation staff members were taught how to sign letters, numbers, colours and family members during the hands-on experience, before students performed a moving rendition of ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman.
Check out how the wonderful day went below:
Northern Counties staff member Mandy Davison is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and her parents both previously attended Northern Counties.
Each year, she gets a personalised shirt made to highlight this significant week, and this year printed a photo of her parents on the back in memory of their sad passing.
Mandy is a key figure within the Foundation community, leading the BSL choir and also independently running a Deaf Club for her local area.
It was an incredible opportunity for our students to showcase their skills, confidence and talent and lead the way in promoting inclusivity.
Student Liam said:
鈥淚 absolutely love BSL. I enjoy using it, teaching it and it鈥檚 actually my favourite language because I鈥檓 really proud to be part of this community with our special language.鈥�
With over 87,000 people in the UK using BSL as their first or preferred language, its visibility is as important as ever.
Check out these videos to get started on learning it for yourself!