A Rise to Outstanding against the odds

Camden, 18 November 2009:

Just two years ago Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children in Swiss Cottage, Camden successfully campaigned to secure the school’s future.  Today it has been named as one of the United Kingdom’s top ‘outstanding’ special schools.

Ofsted have singled out the school in Harley Road, Camden, naming it as one of ‘twelve outstanding special schools’ in the UK. The only deaf school to be recognised for an award, Frank Barnes School was cited as being ‘the most effective in the country for their specialism.’ The school was specifically commended for its ‘bilingual’ teaching, for responding to the individual personal requirements of each child, and for providing opportunity, support and a sense of identity to deaf students.

The School’s 0-2 Centre, set up to create an integrated community based centre where deaf and hearing babies and toddlers can play, explore and learn together through BSL and English, was also highly commended, as was the school’s work in supporting parents.

Headteacher Karen Simpson said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with this award. Having successfully overcome the challenges we faced to now have our school, and all our hard work, recognised as ’outstanding’ is fantastic.  It is testament to the dedication and skills of our exceptional team here and to the support of the families and communities we work with.  

For our Early Years Centre to get special recognition within the report was also a significant achievement. Ours is the first sign bilingual Early Years Centre in London to offer an integrated centre for deaf and hearing babies and toddlers.

We are thrilled that our work is being recognised, and this award recognises our commitment to the continuous development of services for our children here at the school and also for the wider Deaf community.”