The Deaf Academy students are celebrating a new classroom that was built for them through a community project as they mark National Deaf Awareness Week (6th-11th May).
The popular hexagonal wooden classroom provides shelter during break-time as well as an educational and social space for pupils at the Academy.
It includes a wheelchair ramp and has circular seating to support children and staff who use lip-reading and British Sign Language. As pupil numbers have grown, the Academy has looked to make more use of its outside play spaces.
The new classroom was designed and built by local community partners Splash Projects, which offered a significant discount for the work and arranged for a local team of four builders to complete the project within five days. It meant the Academy could achieve more at a lower cost, allowing for a new climbing castle structure and shed to also be built.
Rachel Stevens, Head of School at the Deaf Academy, said: “Students love making use of their new outside classroom, especially to shelter in during showery break times! We wish to thank Swire Charitable Trust who made a generous donation, Splash Projects, and builder Rich Acca and his team.”
Splash Projects and the Academy next hope to collaborate on a project to create a new Forest School for students in its grounds.
Rich Acca, Splash Project Manager, said: “Most of the time we’re hundreds of miles from home delivering projects for our business partners’ communities, so it was great to get stuck in and support a local charity in our own community.”
Ordinarily Splash Projects works with charities that have their own business partners who help complete projects such as this. But on this occasion, they coordinated the team of builders to deliver the work. Simon Poole, Managing Director of Splash Projects, added: “We’re extremely keen to support organisations making a difference in our community.”
In addition, Splash has sponsored the production of this short film to raise awareness of Deaf issues: Splash Projects build outdoor classroom for the Deaf Academy/ Youtube: The Deaf Academy
For more details about Splash Projects visit: http://www.splashprojects.com
Video camera response to rise in Exeter anti-social behaviour
‘No permanent car park’ pledge on Exeter gateway site
East Devon District Council cracks down on fly-tipping on Exmouth seafront
Exeter College hosts inaugural Business and Trade Select Committee
Pebblebed Heaths car park improvements completed
Exhibition remembers HMS Exeter’s part in historic battle
Morrisons on Elm Drive, Cranbrook will open on December 12.
Police appeal for information following an exposure offence in, Otterton
