School bids for specialist status

Plans by a Derbyshire secondary school to become a specialist centre for children with hearing impairments have moved a step closer.

Aldercar Community Language College in Langley Mill wants to be able to teach hard of hearing children alongside other pupils.

The plan won approval from staff, parents and pupils during a recent consultation process.

The county council now plans to submit a formal application.

Complex process

The college is already a specialist centre for pupils with physical disabilities.

Cabinet member for school planning and support, Councillor Alan Charles said: "There is a complex legal process we must go through to achieve this status for Aldercar Community Language College but I am confident that this proposal will get the support of the community.

"Aldercar already provides an inclusive education for physically disabled pupils and these plans would enable the college to do the same for deaf and hearing impaired students.

"The college already has 13 hearing impaired pupils and this move would enable them to improve the provision for those students and others in the future."