Our second feature on this year’s NASS Award finalists celebrates Mary Hare School and their Little Hares support group. Judge Matt Keer praised the school as “wonderful” for demonstrating how families, pupils with SEND, special schools and external agencies can work effectively together.
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“Little Hares offers rarely found support to deaf children, their parents and siblings, which we are extremely grateful for.” - parent feedback
Little Hares is a monthly baby and toddler support group that was set up in 2023 to extend the professional support Mary Hare can offer to the wider community.
Each month we welcome families from surrounding counties into our beautiful Primary School. These sessions are free to attend, and suitable for babies and toddlers aged 3 and under. The aim of the group is to give parents an opportunity to meet, share their stories, learn something new, and have fun with their little ones. Each group has a theme and is run by specialist teachers and therapists. Topics have included: Music therapy, speech and language development, baby sign-nursery rhymes, reading and literacy, and sensory play.
The group has been supported by the National Deaf Children's Society who have attended each month to meet with families and answer questions. They have also run information sessions during the groups on topics such as: how to access BSL classes, the EHCP process and books that promote deaf awareness and identity.
The Sixth Form students studying Childcare and A Level English Literature at Mary Hare have also had the opportunity to come and meet the families and engage with the young participants.
This group has shown to be a powerful opportunity for families who are just starting out on their journey to see the amazing achievements of deaf young people and to have high aspirations for their own children.
“Little Hares offers rarely found support to deaf children, their parents and siblings, which we are extremely grateful for.”
“I felt it was important for my son to be with other deaf children… and just to be with other parents and share our worries and then be reassured or get advice from specialist trained staff.”
Since launching Little Hares, the group has since received funding from the The National Lottery Community Fund, which means we can continue to grow and develop Little Hares as a support group with the aim to reach even more families.
Little Hares aims to create a nurturing, welcoming environment, where parents can share their personal stories, learn from each other and the specialist professionals, celebrate milestones, receive professional support and advice, and just have fun. For more information about Little Hares and our upcoming sessions, visit: https://www.maryhare.org.uk/events/little-hares-deaf-baby-and-toddler-support-group
Written by
Katherine Clements, Assistant Principal and Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Mary Hare School
Selina Cross, Marketing Manager, Mary Hare School