Deaf young person meets MPs to demand better deal for deaf children at school

Laura Bolter from Bournemouth met with key decision makers at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference to speak out about the underachievement of deaf children at school.

The deaf 16-year-old is backing the NDCS campaign to close the attainment gap that exists between deaf and hearing children. 

Laura was born profoundly deaf. She will complete 10 GCSEs later this year and her ambition is to be a social worker or primary school teacher after leaving school.

Having received ample support throughout her education, she now wants other deaf children to have the same opportunities as her.

“I got my cochlear implant when I was three years old which really helped my speech and language develop. I now lead an independent life, although I still have to lip-read to fully understand people, which can be tiring,” Laura explained to MPs.

“Growing up, I have experienced patronising attitudes from some teachers, other adults and children who thought of me as the deaf child who wouldn't achieve,” Laura said. “They spoke slowly to me and could be quite condescending.”

Laura added that it is important deaf children should receive as much support throughout their education as she did.  

Recent statistics reveal that deaf children in the UK are 42% less likely to achieve 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C than hearing children. There is no reason why deaf children without additional needs should not be achieving on a par with their hearing peers.

NDCS has launched a major campaign report called Must do better which calls on the government to take urgent action to close this significant attainment gap.

“Laura has proved that deafness shouldn’t hold anyone back,” said Susan Daniels OBE, NDCS Chief Executive. “We want every deaf child to receive the high quality support Laura has received at school, no matter what school they attend or where they live.”

Read more

• Must do better campaign report (1285 kb)