A BSL interpretation of this press release is available here.
The Deaf Academy Celebrates a Further Good Ofsted Rating
The Deaf Academy has been praised for its high standard of care, quality of education and support for its students following its most recent Ofsted inspection.
The latest grade of Good for its Post-19 provision, following an inspection at the end of April, means that the Academy is now celebrating being recognised as Good across all areas of its provision.
The rating further cements the Academy鈥檚 reputation as a centre of excellence for deaf education regionally and nationally and for championing the rights of deaf people.
The Academy鈥檚 residential care provision was recently graded Good, along with its children鈥檚 home, Rolle House. Furthermore, its School and College were described as a 鈥榩lace of inspiration鈥� and achieved a Good grade with Outstanding features in April last year.
The Deaf Academy in Exmouth caters for 73 young Deaf people from the age of nine years old to 25, many of whom have additional needs. Students come from across the UK and about half are residential. Most learners are profoundly deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language. The Academy recently opened its 10-bed residential and learning centre, Fearnside House, which is a few minutes walk from its main campus and is home to its Post-19 students.
Sylvan Dewing, Principal of the Deaf Academy, said: 鈥淲e are delighted that the most recent Ofsted inspection has resulted in a grade of Good for our Post-19 provision 鈥� meaning the quality and standards that we strive to achieve in all aspects of the Academy are now recognised as Good.
鈥淥ur students are supported with life skills, career guidance, work-related activities and knowledge to help them achieve their aspirations. They receive individual therapeutic support that meets their needs and helps them be confident learners and individuals. This was all recognised in the recent Ofsted inspection, which is wonderful.
鈥淭hese achievements are testament to the hard work of our staff and the support of our Trustees, Governors, parents and carers as well as, and of course most importantly, our amazing students.鈥�
In a joint statement, Dame Angela Pedder, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Tony Alexander, Chair of the Board of Governors, said: 鈥淭he Deaf Academy has undergone a journey of transformation over recent years. This has been enhanced by the move to our state-of-the-art facilities in Exmouth and the recent purchase and refurbishment of nearby Fearnside House, which provides a dedicated residential and learning space for our Post-19 students.
鈥淓veryone involved with the Academy has played a part in achieving these excellent Ofsted grades and should be very proud of their commitment to our students and this achievement.鈥�
The Ofsted report into the Post-19 provision praised the individual programmes and therapeutic support tailored for each student which enables them to develop 鈥榮kills and confidence鈥�, 鈥榩ersonal development鈥�, 鈥榣ife skills鈥� and a 鈥榮ense of pride in being a deaf person鈥�.
Inspectors observed that students learn in a 鈥榮upportive鈥�, 鈥榳elcoming鈥�, 鈥榮afe鈥�, 鈥榗alm鈥� and 鈥榠nclusive鈥� environment which is well resourced and where BSL is 鈥榰sed well鈥� for communication.
The Academy has developed positive partnerships with many local employers and the report affirmed that 鈥榣eaders and managers engage well with a range of local employers to provide learners with ambitious work experience placements鈥�.
And inspectors recognised that students are well supported as they prepare for adulthood, for future employment, and to 鈥榓dvocate for themselves as adults鈥�. This is achieved through their studies, 鈥榬elevant work experience placements and work-related activities鈥� and through opportunities created for them to 鈥榚xplore and learn about the wider world鈥�.
It concludes that 鈥楪overnors have good oversight of the quality of provision鈥� and praises the Deaf Academy鈥檚 leadership and staff for the 鈥榟igh aspirations and ambitions鈥� for their students.
The full Ofsted report can be viewed, with BSL translation, on the Deaf Academy website here:
