More about sign supported English

As part of our whole school Total Communication Approach (using a combination of communication methods for each child), all staff and children at Meath use a signing system called Sign Supported English. This supports children’s understanding and use of spoken English across their school day.

Sign Supported English has a core vocabulary base that is the same as Makaton and is derived from British Sign Language (BSL). The signs are used alongside speech and do not replace the spoken word. Recent evidence suggests that signing does not stop children using the spoken word, but can provide them with a valuable communication tool and the opportunity to put more words together.