NDCS says Government’s plans to protect school funding in Comprehensive Spending Review could be a “hollow pledge”

Responding to the Comprehensive Spending Review, Brian Gale, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), said:

“Whilst it is positive news that schools funding will continue to be protected, it is a hollow pledge if the Government does not intervene to protect specialist support for deaf children at a local level.

“Since 2010 thousands of deaf children across England have faced a cut to specialist support such as Teachers of the Deaf, despite the Government pledging to protect education funding in the last Spending Review.

“National Deaf Children’s Society figures show 29% of local authorities plan to cut education services for deaf children in 2013/14, with a further 31% possibly making cuts. These cuts are having a devastating impact on deaf children. Teachers of the Deaf are not a luxury, they are absolutely vital for deaf children’s education.

“Last year GCSE attainment for deaf students dropped for the first time since records began, with only 37% of deaf students achieving five good GCSEs.”

“We are extremely concerned that the results of the Spending Review do not go far enough to ensure deaf children get the support they need.NDCS is running the Stolen Futures campaign to call on the Government to protect specialist education support and intervene where cuts to deaf children’s services are being made by local authorities. Action is needed now to stop more deaf children being failed.”