Bolton: Parents and National Deaf Children's Society campaign for new school

They  say that despite the hard work and dedication of the staff at Thomasson Memorial School, a specialist school for children who are deaf,  a move to a new premises is badly needed and children are at risk of falling behind.

Earlier this year, the school building was closed down suddenly after a leak which caused significant water damage.

The pupils have been displaced since January at two different location as asbestos was susequently found while repairs were carried out.

A return to the school is planned for September.

READ: Thomasson Memorial Special School shut for the rest of the year after water damage

But campaigners for a new build are raising serious concerns about the suitability of the original building and a petition for a brand-new school has already had more than 400 signatures.

A lack of on-site facilities at Thomasson Memorial means pupils have to be taken to a different site for lunch, with the disruption badly affecting their learning and routine. There’s also no on-site sensory room, meaning they have nowhere suitable to cope with distress.

They add Thomasson also comes with small and dark classrooms, difficulties with wheelchair access and poor acoustics in the nursery.

Parents joined to launch the online petition, which calls for a new school to be built immediately.

They say that their children “deserve better” and “the right to an equal education.”

The campaign is being backed by the National Deaf Children's Society. The society says that an investment in deaf children’s education now could boost their chances at school and pay dividends in later life.

Hayat Ibraahim’s son is in Year 5 at Thomasson. She was one of the original parents behind the petition and says what they’re asking for is very important.

“It’s crucial that the council builds a new school. Thomasson is an old building that’s existed for more than 100 years, along with narrow corridors and small rooms. 

“A new school building, or at least going back into an improved school, would mean my son finally can have the same type of facilities his twin brother gets, who has a big playground with good play equipment and nice big classrooms with enough space and light.”

Rebecca Fisher is also one of the campaign’s founding members. Her daughter attends the school.

She said: “Our children having a permanent school setting allows them to socialise with their deaf peers and receive the education they deserve in a building that suits their needs.

“Deaf children already suffer through life being discriminated against and isolated and this situation is not helping. Things need to change, and quickly.”

Hazel Badjie, senior campaigns lead at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “Deaf children already fall behind at every stage of school, including an entire grade at GCSE, because they don’t get the right support. They’re just as capable as hearing children and have incredible potential, but their needs must be met when they’re at school so they get that chance to thrive.

“It’s really important that Bolton Council makes this investment because a quality environment underpins a quality education. A new school building will make a massive difference to the deaf children there, now and well into the future.”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We fully understand the frustration caused by the flooding at Thomasson Memorial Special School and the relocation to an alternative site.

“We would like to thank families, pupils and staff for their patience and hard work in these challenging circumstances.

“Repair work at the school is progressing well and remains on track for completion ahead of the new academic year in September.

“During its most recent Ofsted inspection, pupils at the school were found to ‘feel secure and happy in an environment where they thrive and enjoy learning’.”