HEARING-IMPAIRED children were left surprised and delighted as they watched their peers sign Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer especially for them.

The festive performance, performed in assembly during the last day of term at Jewell Academy, was designed to ensure the three children who use hearing aids felt something special had been done for them during the school’s Christmas activities.

Alex D’Amico, 10, Bernardo Brito, seven, and his sister Leonor Brito, five, all smiled as they watched the special signalong.

Acting principal Alex Waddington said the assembly was designed to show how every child at the school was unique, special and included.

Rather than traditional British sign language, signalong uses speech, sign, body language, facial expression and voice tone to reference the link between sign and word. It is described as a key word sign-supported communication system.

Mrs Waddington said signalong was also useful for the children at the school who do not have hearing issues and is used regularly, particularly with those in the lower years. She said: “We have four children with hearing issues but signalong is beneficial for all children as it helps to improve communication in general. We have a real focus at Jewell on improving the communication skills of our pupils.

“Signalong allows children to speak at the same time as signing so they are hearing the words as well as communicating them non-verbally.

“We have had a real push on signalong this term at Jewell and it means that if a child is upset and is struggling to verbalise what is wrong, they can still tell us through signing.

“The assembly this morning encompassed the compassion and understanding that we are trying to instil in our pupils.’’