A BOSTON Spa school for the deaf has promoted diversity with a specialist school event.

Sixth form and Year 11 students from St John's Catholic school for the Deaf were visited by speakers from Diversity Role Models, a London-based charity that actively seeks to prevent homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in UK schools.

Role models and speakers travel the country to speak to students on the subject and this was their first visit to a school for the deaf.

They spoke to the students about aspects of diversity and sexuality, including the vocabulary people use to describe a person's sexuality and which language and terms could be deemed offensive or bullying, and the potential impact of using such language.

The speakers, Kate, Graeme and Rachel, also explored with the young people the potential effects on a person's mental health and feelings of isolation should they not be able to speak about their sexuality for fear of bullying.

Headteacher Ann Bradbury said: "This workshop was extremely moving, interesting and important for the young people.

"Exploring communication and language on this important subject is extremely valuable for our young people.

"I know we will be thinking about what we have heard and learned from this workshop for a long time to come."

All young people at St John's, which provides residential and day school placements, are deaf, hard of hearing or have multi-sensory impairment.

It is an oral school where pupils are taught by specialist teachers of hearing impaired children.

Graeme Rainey of Diversity Role Models said: "We work with schools with a view to making them more inclusive places.

"This was our first visit to a school for the deaf and we were struck by how inclusive and supportive the school and its pupils are.

"In many ways, the young people here may have experienced similar sorts of 'pigeon-holing', with people making assumptions or judgements about them based on just one aspect of themselves, in this case, their deafness."