A headteacher has had to resort to using sign language to communicate at a school where pupils are from 24 different countries.
Damian Jordan uses a signing system called Makaton to speak to youngsters at Fairlight Primary school in Brighton.
The headteacher, who has only just taken up his post, realised he would have to come up with a new way of communication when he found out 55 youngsters at the school speak languages ranging from Spanish, Polish, Arabic and Mandarin.
Mr Jordan has been learning Makaton - a version of sign language which is used specifically in schools.
The 36-year-old has also been learning the basics in several other languages so he can communicate with his pupil's parents as well.
But he said the major advantage in using Makaton was that it helped children be more readily understood while they grasp English.
'I have been training in Makaton, which has been designed for use in schools, he said.
' It means that at times when children might get frustrated that they can't make themselves understood, you can still communicate with them.'
Mr Jordan, who at 36 is one of Brighton and Hove's youngest headteachers, said he and all his staff at Fairlight Primary School were learning both Makaton alongside the children.
He said:
Damian Jordan uses a signing system called Makaton to speak to youngsters at Fairlight Primary school in Brighton.
The headteacher, who has only just taken up his post, realised he would have to come up with a new way of communication when he found out 55 youngsters at the school speak languages ranging from Spanish, Polish, Arabic and Mandarin.
Mr Jordan has been learning Makaton - a version of sign language which is used specifically in schools.
The 36-year-old has also been learning the basics in several other languages so he can communicate with his pupil's parents as well.
But he said the major advantage in using Makaton was that it helped children be more readily understood while they grasp English.
'I have been training in Makaton, which has been designed for use in schools, he said.
' It means that at times when children might get frustrated that they can't make themselves understood, you can still communicate with them.'
Mr Jordan, who at 36 is one of Brighton and Hove's youngest headteachers, said he and all his staff at Fairlight Primary School were learning both Makaton alongside the children.
He said:
'We think the international nature of the school and the languages are something to celebrate.
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