Parents celebrate ‘huge win’ as planned staffing cuts to deaf unit at Islington primary school scrapped

Planned cuts to specialist staff at Laycock Primary School’s deaf unit in Islington will no longer go ahead, in what’s been hailed as a “huge win” for a group of parent campaigners.

Proposals announced last year considered scrapping the head of the specialist provision, an assistant head and audiologists and replacing them with the single role of assistant headteacher.

Three specialist Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA) were also reported to be dropped, in favour of teaching assistants or agency staff.

The proposals were described as “devastating” by campaigners, and would have affected 64 deaf children supported by the unit – of which 38 have additional needs such as autism.

However, in a post to Instagram on Friday, the Save Laycock Deaf Unit campaign group announced they had been successful in halting the planned restructure.

“This is a huge win for our deaf children and means our kids will continue to receive the education they deserve.

“We aren’t stopping here. The future of the deaf unit is not safe under the current leadership, so we will keep fighting and make sure that this does not happen again, and our kids feel safe, secure and get the best care and support they need,” it reads.

The account also expressed its “heartfelt gratitude” to its followers for “standing with us”.

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A post shared by Save Lacycock Deaf Unit (@savetheldu)

In a letter from the school’s governors panel to parents last week, seen by The Limping Chicken, the decision makers confirmed they would not go ahead with the cuts and that the staff impacted – including an award-winning leader who has been in charge for 32 years – were no longer “at risk of redundancy”.

They continued: “The school continues to be in a serious financial position with a substantial deficit budget and will continue to work with the local authority and the school community to address this. We believe that further evaluation and analysis are necessary before making decisions regarding the mainstream and deaf provision.

“We understand that this has been a difficult and uncertain time for all involved and would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and thanks to our staff, parents and all stakeholders for their patience and co-operation throughout the process.”

Martin Thacker, deputy director of local engagement at the National Deaf Children’s Society, welcomed the reversal as “recognition of the fact that deaf children have exactly the same right to a first-class education as their hearing classmates”.

He added: “Going forward, it’s vital that that there should always be open, transparent communication between schools and the parents of deaf children. Parents have an absolute right to a say in decisions affecting their children’s future.

“We look forward to liaising closely with Islington Council and the school to ensure that the best interests of the school’s deaf pupils remain safeguarded in future.

“If schools feel they are having to prioritise balancing the books over providing deaf children with the support they need, then clearly something must be done. That’s why we’re urging the Government to invest in the recruitment of new Teachers of the Deaf and return staffing numbers to their 2012 levels, as part of its SEND review.”

When approached by The Limping Chicken for comment, a spokesperson for Islington Council said it is “determined to give every child and young person in Islington the best start in life”, which includes making sure deaf pupils are “given the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential”.

“Like many schools across the country, Laycock Primary is facing increased financial pressures and a projected budget deficit this year.

“We respect the decision of its governing body and will continue to work closely with them and the headteacher on solutions that start with delivering high-quality education while ensuring the school also achieves a balanced budget,” they said.

A petition against the initial plans reached more than 2,000 signatures, and will be debated at the next meeting of the whole council.

Photo: Matt Crossick.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.