Burgess Hill Girls pupil Amber creates COVID-19 news broadcast in British Sign Language

Seven year old Burgess Hill Girls pupil Amber Mason has created a British Sign Language COVID-19 news broadcast.

Both Amber’s parents are deaf, so she has been signing since she was six months old, and British Sign Language (BSL) is her first and home language. As she is a hearing person, she is also able to converse with hearing people, giving her access to both cultures. She uses both skills in her COVID-19 news broadcast, so hearing and deaf children can watch it and learn how to stay safe during the pandemic.

Although Amber’s father, BSL presenter and actor Clive Mason, helped her make the COVID-19 film, she wrote the script, presented the film and made all the editing decisions. In the film Amber encourages viewers to stay at home and gives guidance on how to cough and sneeze as well as wash their hands. The COVID-19 special took two days to make and was filmed in her garden using a green screen.

Amber really enjoyed making the film: “Making this news broadcast has helped me learn more about COVID-19, I hope it helps other children learn more too.”

Mum, Clare Chilton, is very proud: “I couldn’t think of a better way to spend family time during the lockdown. Clive is a wonderful role model for Amber and it is great that he has been able to use the time to pass on his skills.”

The COVID-19 broadcast is Amber’s second film using BSL, her first was a homework project on her favourite thing about her school, Burgess Hill Girls.