BDA responds as it is announced Hamilton Lodge School and College is to close in 2025

The trustees at Hamilton Lodge School and College have announced the schools forthcoming closure at the end of the next academic year, on 31 August 2025, which they say is due to a decline in pupil numbers.

The school, which is a residential school and college based in Brighton, has educated and cared for Deaf children between the ages of 5 to 19 years for over 80 years.

Whilst the school has the capacity for 85 pupils – according to the government’s school database – in July it is said to have had only 31 pupils on roll – as previously reported by the Brighton and Hove news. 

The announcement of the closure has been met with much sadness by members of the deaf community who fear for the future of deaf education. Sara Thompson who attended the school as a child and has happy memories of her time there commented,

 “With so many deaf schools closing, I worry for the future and for deaf children. The number of BSL using schools is rapidly declining. I worry where future deaf parents will be able to send their children to learn in an environment that uses BSL.” 

The British Deaf Association (BDA) shares these concerns and released their own official response to the news, stating how  the closure would be a significant loss, “particularly for Deaf children and their families who depend on such language-rich, inclusive environments.”

The BDA’s CEO, Rebecca Mansell, delivered a statement in a BSL video alongside an English transcript on the charity’s website, outlining the reasons for their objection to the closure;

 “We strongly object to the closure of this school as it is a breach of article 24, therefore it is crucial for the government to explore how Hamilton Lodge can continue to serve as a BSL-rich environment for Deaf children.

While we recognise the challenges involved, we urge a thorough review of alternatives that would allow this essential institution to continue its vital work.”

 “The closure of Hamilton Lodge underscores the urgent need for the UK government and local authorities to address the decreasing number of specialist educational provisions for Deaf children. 

Without access to quality education in BSL, Deaf children face significant barriers to reaching their full potential, both academically and socially. BSL is more than just a language; it is a crucial link to the Deaf community, culture, and identity.”

Hamilton Lodge School and College is the operational arm of a registered charity, Hamilton Lodge Trust and the Trust have shared that they will continue with their primary aim of supporting the Deaf community in a format that will be decided after the stakeholder consultation ends in December 2024. 

The BDA has therefore declared a “call to action for all stakeholders to come together and protect the future of Deaf education in the UK.”

 You can contact stakeholders.feedback@hamiltonlsc.co.uk

 To view the BDA’s full statement in BSL or to read their statement in English online see: 

https://bda.org.uk/press-release-closure-of-hamilton-lodge-school/

Photography credit Google Maps