Why choose us?
Southfields Hearing Impaired Unit (HIU) is a friendly, vibrant and achievement focused environment where expectations of both students and staff are high.  Staff are expected to deliver and students are expected to do well - and they do!
The HIU caters for students with a range of ability and hearing loss transferring from our primary HIU, our local mainstream primary schools and from neighbouring boroughs.  Some students have hearing aids and others use cochlear implants.  Outcomes for students are excellent and they are well prepared for their transition into the 6th form, local FE colleges, apprenticeships or employment/training. 
We are a highly motivated and qualified team of teachers of the deaf and teaching assistants who form part of the wider Wandsworth Hearing Impaired Service team, with a national reputation for the quality of our work.   Our own professional development is a high priority and we ensure we are up to date with modern technology, new initiatives and continue to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to enable us to provide the highest quality teaching and support service to those we work with. 
The extended team around our students, which includes the speech and language therapist, Connexions advisor, technician and educational audiologist are in regular contact with the HIU to support in a variety of ways e.g. jointly setting and reviewing of students’ personal learning targets, checking equipment and preparing students for key events during their time with us.  We value the close working relationships we have with mainstream colleagues who regularly receive advice and training to ensure they are fully aware of the needs of our students.  Our parents are fully involved with decisions made about their children and are welcome to visit anytime. 
What makes us special?
There is a high emphasis on the use of modern technology to support learning, develop key skills and support communication and independence. 

• Every student has a personal up to date FM system to provide maximum access to the curriculum and enhance their listening experience in mainstream classrooms
• The innovative use of PSPs and video cameras assist students with presentations
• Personal PCs, netbooks, Ipads and interactive whiteboards are integral resources in the HIU.

Personalised learning
All students have a personalised learning programme with individual learning targets which are reviewed termly with key staff, parents and with the student’s views being of paramount importance.

• Each student receives a programme of support which may include specialist in class support, individual/small group specialist teaching in the HIU and opportunities to work with other professionals to prepare for college or work experience e.g. interview techniques with our Connexions advisor. 
• Some students need more focus on developing their literacy, vocabulary and communication skills and may be taught their English course or a tailor-made literacy course in the HIU by specialist teachers.  Others may need more input with their social skills and independent learning skills and so follow a specific course delivered by mainstream staff and supported by HIU teachers. 
• All students have access to speech and language therapy sessions on a regular basis delivered in the HIU by a therapist experienced with working with hearing impaired students.
• Some students in Years 10 & 11, who need additional support may follow a slightly reduced curriculum in Key Stage 4 to ensure they have allocated time for 1-1/small group specialist teaching in the HIU to support their GCSE and other exam courses to ensure they achieve success.
• Language and literacy assessments are carried out regularly to inform the learning programme and identify those students who would benefit from more intense support e.g. a literacy programme.
• Assessment information is used to ensure students receive the necessary access arrangements for exams and tests so that they can perform to the best of their ability.
• Students follow a personalised audiology awareness programme which aims to develop their understanding and management of their own hearing loss and equipment and raise awareness of equipment and support available to them in their adult life.
• Opportunities to take part in a range of extra curricular activities and meet deaf role models to support personal, social and emotional wellbeing is also built into the programme.

Programmes of learning and support are reviewed regularly and as students’ needs change, their programme is updated and amended accordingly.

Why are our students successful?
We believe our students need high quality teaching, excellent resources and a supportive, secure and stimulating learning environment, where learning is fun!    We are never complacent and continually strive to provide all of the above and more.  We have high expectations of our students and expect them to have high expectations of themselves and us!  Southfields HIU great environment where students achieve all round success and develop as confident young people ready to move on to the next phase of their lives.

Why choose us?
Southfields Hearing Impaired Unit (HIU) is a friendly, vibrant and achievement focused environment where expectations of both students and staff are high.  Staff are expected to deliver and students are expected to do well - and they do!  The HIU 6th form caters for students with a range of ability and hearing loss from both within the College and from other local schools, neighbouring boroughs and beyond.   Outcomes for students are excellent and they are well prepared for the next phase in their lives whether that be university, college, apprenticeships or employment/training. 
We are a highly motivated and qualified team of teachers of the deaf and teaching assistants who form part of the wider Wandsworth Hearing Impaired Service team, with a national reputation for the quality of our work.   The extended team around our students, which includes the speech and language therapist, Connexions advisor, technician and educational audiologist are in regular contact with the HIU to support in a variety of ways e.g. jointly setting and reviewing of personal targets, checking equipment and preparing students for key events during their time with us.  We value the close working relationships we have with our parents who are fully involved and welcome to visit anytime. 
As members of Southfields Community College, our students have access to an exciting and diverse range of courses offered at different ability levels to suit everyone e.g. BTEC First and National level, AS/A levels, Basic Skills.   Optional enrichment courses include driving theory, photography and opportunities to act as mentors to younger students in the College.  As members of the HIU, students have a personalised learning programme tailored to suit their individual needs with support from specialist staff, in other words, a great all round package!

What makes us special?
There is a high emphasis on the use of modern technology to support learning, develop key skills and support communication and independence. 

• Every student has a personal up to date FM system to provide maximum access to the curriculum and enhance their listening experience in mainstream classrooms
• The innovative use of PSPs and video cameras assist students with presentations
• Personal PCs, netbooks, Ipads and interactive whiteboards are integral resources in the HIU.

Personalised learning
Students are supported in their choice of courses and each student receives a programme of support which includes specialist in class support, individual/small group specialist teaching in the HIU and opportunities to work with other professionals to prepare for college or work experience e.g. interview techniques with our Connexions advisor.
All students have a personalised learning programme with individual targets which are reviewed termly with key staff, parents and with the student’s views being of paramount importance.  Programmes of learning and support are reviewed regularly and as students’ needs change, their programme is updated and amended accordingly. 

• Language and literacy assessments are carried out regularly to inform the learning programme and identify those students who would benefit from more intense support e.g. a literacy programme
• Students follow a personalised audiology awareness programme which aims to develop their understanding and management of their own hearing loss and equipment and raise awareness of equipment and support available to them in their adult life.
• Opportunities to take part in a range of extra curricular activities and meet deaf role models to support personal, social and emotional wellbeing is built into the programme.

Additional support

• We believe all staff should be deaf aware so we provide regular training and on-going advice to our mainstream staff so they can provide the best learning environment for our students
• Regular speech and language therapy is available in the HIU on an individual or small group basis for those students who require it
• Our educational audiologist and technicians visit regularly to test the students’ specialist equipment to ensure it is in tiptop condition and doing its job properly.
• We believe that the involvement of parents/carers is key to our students’ success and we always seek their views and involve them in supporting their child’s learning targets at home.

Why are our students successful?
We believe our students need high quality teaching, excellent resources and a supportive, secure and stimulating learning environment, where learning is fun!    We are never complacent and continually strive to provide all of the above and more.  We have high expectations of our students and expect them to have high expectations of themselves and us!  Southfields HIU is a great 6th form environment where students achieve all round success and develop as confident young people ready to move on to the next phase of their lives.

Hey there!  I am Solomon.  I am 16 years old and I am currently studying in the 6th form at Southfields Community College.  I am taking the following AS levels – English Literature, Government and Politics and Psychology.  I started this school in Year 7 as a mischievous student who was always in the wrong place at the wrong time!  What is different now, is the school and especially the HIU is keeping me out of all the wrong places and I am no longer that naughty little boy.  I am now a man who has expanded his horizons and his intellectual knowledge by reading which is one of my main hobbies.
The most crucial year in Southfields is Year 11.  It is a time when students have to knuckle down and get to work.  With the help and the support of the Hearing Impaired Unit, I got through all of the dilemmas I had with certain subjects.  I left Year 11 with the equivalent of 9 GCSEs.
I took part in the Jack Petchey “Speak Out” regional finals last year where I spoke about the topic, “Living with a disability.”  Unfortunately, I did not win.  However, I was happy enough to speak to people about life with a disability and to spread the message.  I have gained confidence from the HIU staff who have always stood by me.
The Hearing Impaired Unit staff give us one to one sessions to support our literacy, language and audiological needs.  As young adults, we know the benefit we get from our hearing aids and FM systems and we are also very aware of our responsibilities to maintain and wear our equipment so that we can optimally access our lessons.

Hi, I’m Sharoz and I am currently in Year 13 at Southfields Community College.  I am studying A level Physics and ICT as well as BTEC Business Studies.  I have been attached to the Hearing Impaired Unit since Year 8.  Since then, the change in me has been incredible and a lot of that is because of the HIU. 
The HIU gives you the support you need and this helps to give you the confidence to become independent later on and you are provided with the best equipment.  It also provides you with the support anytime you need it.  The open door policy works for me.  Trust me, you won’t be disappointed if you come here!

Hi there!  My name is Sa’ad and I am nearly 18 years old.  I am profoundly deaf and have two cochlear implants which are amazing.  My left implant I had done in July 2007 and my right one was done in July 2010.
I am studying in the 6th form at Southfields Community College.  Last year, I got distinctions in my Media and Travel and Tourism BTec 1st certificate level 2.   I am now studying Level 3 BTEC Business Studies and AS ICT.  I began at Southfields in Year 7.
I won the Jack Petchey award for outstanding achievement.  I was also named as “gifted and talented” on my Travel and Tourism course.
The Hearing Impaired Unit is my favourite area.  It is my second home!  It has very nice teachers and I always get support in my mainstream lessons and also have lessons in the HIU.  It is a kind and friendly place and it is safe.  The other students are friendly, funny and make me laugh.  I help the younger students.
The mainstream teachers know about deaf students very well and they know how to use the FM systems.  Southfields will always support you, it is a great place for you!