Special units in Suffolk

This page gives a summary of the range of special units in Suffolk for children with significant hearing impairment, speech or language difficulties. Most children in Suffolk attend their local mainstream school.

Speech and Language Units (SLUs)

There are three speech and language units in Suffolk:

• Elm Tree Primary School (Lowestoft)
• Rushmere Hall Primary School (Ipswich)
• Hardwick Primary School (Bury St Edmunds)

The speech and language units provide for children aged 5-7 years. Children with places in these units are supported and taught by a specialist teacher and by a specialist speech and language therapist.

The majority of children with moderate / mild speech and language difficulties will attend their local mainstream school, however, if a language unit is felt to be the best option for a child, the decision to offer a place is made in the local area education office, in discussion and agreement with parents.

Hearing Impaired Units (HIUs)

There are six Hearing Impaired units in Suffolk:

• Elm Tree Primary School (Lowestoft)
• Rushmere Hall Primary School (Ipswich)
• Westbourne High School (Ipswich)
• Westgate Primary School (Bury St Edmunds)
• Westley Middle School (Bury St Edmunds)
• County Upper School (Bury St Edmunds)

Children in these units are supported by a qualified teacher of the deaf and by trained support assistants and signing communicators as necessary. Signing communicators also support pupils with HI who attend mainstream schools, if this is required.

In the north of Suffolk, there are visiting teachers of the deaf, who support children in their local middle and upper schools.

There are also a number of Advisory Teachers for hearing impaired children, who are qualified teachers of the deaf. They are based in the three area education offices (see also Sensory Services).

Area Pupil Services Team contact details