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Dobson fights to halt move of leading deaf school
Evening Standard21.02.08
One of London's leading schools for deaf children could be under threat, as plans to move the school are set in motion.
Frank Barnes School near Swiss Cottage takes children from 16 boroughs and is the only one in the capital to teach primary-age children in sign language.
Camden council called it a national resource - but the school may be forced to relocate under new plans to rebuild nearby.
Local MPs Frank Dobson and Glenda Jackson are leading a campaign to save the school and have demanded a meeting with education minister Lord Adonis.
In the Commons, Mr Dobson has put down an Early Day Motion which has been signed by 18 MPs in two days. He said: "These plans would be disastrous for the teaching of deaf children and closure should be prevented."
"Camden says a bit of the school could be attached to a school in Haringey, but everyone agrees that if they move it or reduce it in size, an absolutely top-notch super-specialist facility would disappear or be severely damaged."
Kevin Courtney, secretary of the Camden branch of the National Union of Teachers, said: "Frank Barnes is a truly excellent school for the deaf acknowledged by Ofsted and Lord Adonis. We think the council should be building Frank Barnes as a London centre of excellence, not proposing closure."
Camden council has launched a consultation on moving the school. A spokeswoman said it was committed to teaching deaf children but that the school was underused and losing money.
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Reader views (4)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
People seem to forget about the presence of Blanche Nevile School in London. It is a sheer misconception that it does not cater for deaf children in the manner of Frank Barnes School. In fact, in addition to having an excellent standard of BSL and children of varying degrees of deafness/special needs, with well qualified BSL sign language interpreters on the staff, Blanche Nevile School gives children an opportunity to communicate not only through BSL but also in writing, talking, etc, in other words, giving them an opportunity to develop in "the real world". I am amazed that Blanche Nevile is not getting more of a mention when it comes to children having to relocate from Frank Barnes School.
- Steven Pacitti, West Sussex, UK
Sure, send your culturally and medically deaf child to a "regular school" and watch them as they suffer from isolation, lack of communication and therefore sufficient education to enable them to excel and break down the boundaries which exist and have existed between for too many years - you're right - you don't understand the problem.
- Alison F, Liverpool, UK
If you are not deaf, please do not assume things; one needs to know about our (Deaf experience) viewpoint to understand there are times in life that we need our peer group.
The real issue is about Deaf Education. The school has an ethos which maximises the use of bilingual teaching, in British Sign Language and English. This is much needed in a multicultural city such as London in the 21st century. Families of deaf children need that option, not all 'regular schools' have sufficient resources or such qualified & experienced staff. It has an amazing team of deaf and hearing staff, all role models for the child and families, to hold forth for the child's lifespan. Glad to see that MPs are taking an interest, as it's a London-wide issue.
- Penny Beschizza, London, UK
