The National Deaf Children’s Society has been informed that The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate has been closed with immediate effect this afternoon.

We are committed to supporting parents and fully appreciate that they will be very concerned about their child’s future. As a result we have extended our helpline opening hours to include 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday.

Brian Gale, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “We are bitterly disappointed by the decision to close The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate with immediate effect. The school has proven to be a lifeline for deaf children with additional complex needs and from today some of the most vulnerable children in England will not be getting their basic human rights to education.

“Deaf children who have previously struggled to get their educational needs met come from all over the country to attend the school and go on to thrive. The sudden closure of the school will be an immense loss to them as well as future generations of deaf children with additional needs who may require highly specialised education support provided at Margate.

“We are supporting families to write to their MP and working with the MP for Kent, Roger Gale, on this important issue. We are also in dialogue with Kent County Council to find suitable placements for the children in their area and we urge other local authorities to take immediate steps to put interim education provision in place with a view to find an appropriate school in the very near future.”

For further support, parents can contact the National Deaf Children’s Society Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice and text), email helpline@ndcs.org.uk, or chat online at www.ndcs.org.uk/livechat.

See more info on NDCS