Computer games designed to help primary teachers assess the needs of pupils with hearing loss are to be piloted in North Tyneside. The educational software was developed by University College London’s research centre for deafness, cognition and language and is designed to gauge the abilities of children who use British Sign Language. The Smart Cat game assesses key skills for learning, including literacy, numeracy, motor control and memory, providing teachers with an analysis of each child’s strengths and needs as they start school.