On the 07th of October 2022, Rushey Green Primary School and Lewisham Council announced they are commencing a consultation process regarding the closure of the Centre for the Deaf resource base at Rushey Green and the change in designation without providing a full-time Teacher for the Deaf.

Currently, there are only two schools in the entire Borough of Lewisham with a provision for the deaf ( Coopers Lane Primary School and Rushey Green Primary School)

Unfortunately, the provision at Rushey Green failed the deaf children and the parents by not providing a teacher for the deaf (required on their EHCP) since April. The deaf pupils were without a SLT for over an academic year and were also for a brief period without a SENCO.
At the moment the deaf pupils at RG are not getting the support they are entitled to by law.

The deaf pupils of RG need a full-time Teacher for the deaf and more support.

We believe that provisions for deaf children and provisions for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs are much needed in the schools in the Borough of Lewisham. However, closing one of the only two provisions for the deaf is not a solution.

In fact, it causes a negative long-term impact on the lives of children with needs and their families.

Instead, Lewisham should offer more primary schools within the Borough the opportunity to welcome a new provision for the deaf or a provision for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

The mentality should be "opening", not "closing" provisions.

We are not just talking about public funding; we are talking about the quality of education, necessary support and care for children with special needs, with or without an EHC Plan.

Through this document, we express our disagreement with the closure and change in designation of the Centre of the deaf at Rushey Green Primary School.