the Deaf Academy

the Deaf Academy The Deaf Academy is a non-maintained special school and college for deaf children and young people aged 5–25. We are a charity and welcome fundraising.

We have been providing education for deaf young people since 1826. We teach children from age 5 – 25 years, using a bilingual environment of British Sign Language (BSL) and English to provide specialist education and care tailored to individual needs. We inspire deaf children to believe in themselves as they journey towards independence and have a strong reputation for engaging students failed els

ewhere in education. The Academy welcomes children from across the UK so the majority of our students use our residential care facilities. We work closely with parents and guardians and our children’s home is able to provide year round care for those that need it. As a non-maintained special school, our pupils are funded by their home local authority.

The end of term has been filled with so many special moments and achievements to celebrate! The last few weeks have been...
03/08/2026

The end of term has been filled with so many special moments and achievements to celebrate!

The last few weeks have been packed with so many brilliant moments, from an exciting Sports Day and a memorable Activity Week to our Graduation and Awards Ceremony. It's been wonderful to see our students getting involved, achieving great things and making special memories together.

As we come to the end of another memorable academic year, we would like to wish all our students, families and supporters a wonderful summer break. A huge thank you to our amazing staff and wider community for all your support throughout the year.

To our leavers, we wish you every success and happiness in your next steps and look forward to hearing about all you achieve in the future. And to everyone returning in September, we can't wait to welcome you back for another exciting year.

Have a brilliant summer!

Looking for a rewarding career where you can grow and develop? We have a range of opportunities available across our edu...
31/07/2026

Looking for a rewarding career where you can grow and develop?

We have a range of opportunities available across our education, communication support and residential care teams, with roles suitable for those just starting out through to experienced professionals and team leaders.

Communication Support Worker (CSW)
-Trainee CSW
-Qualified CSW (Part-Time & Full-Time)
-CSW Team Leader

Learning Leaders
-School-Based Positions
-College-Based Positions
-Part-Time & Full-Time Opportunities

Residential Care
-Entry-Level Roles
-Qualified Residential Care Workers
-Senior Residential Care Workers
-Shift Leaders

Whether you're taking your first steps into the sector or looking for your next leadership opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply today click here: https://thedeafacademy.ac.uk/work-for-us/vacancies/

17/07/2026

Thank you Yvonne Cobb for your kind words that both capture the ethos of Clare Milne & The Clare Milne Trust legacy, and also our Charity’s mission to ensure Deaf young people with additional needs can achieve their dreams & thrive ❤️

Today, on Clare's Day, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Clare Milne and the lasting impact of her vision to support...
17/07/2026

Today, on Clare's Day, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Clare Milne and the lasting impact of her vision to support people with disabilities across Devon and Cornwall.

In 2020, The Clare Milne Trust provided funding that helped the Academy create its purpose-built new campus, enabling Deaf young people to learn and thrive in an environment designed specifically around their needs. The Trust's incredibly generous support is recognised through our Clare Milne Trust Atrium, the heart of the Academy's education building. This vibrant communal space brings together students, staff, families and visitors, reflecting the inclusive and welcoming values that Clare championed throughout her life.

For staff and students, spending time in this unique space evokes a sense of pride and belonging. Even HRH The Princess Royal recognised how special it is during a recent visit to celebrate the charity’s 200th anniversary. She described the space as a “beautifully designed building” and a “blueprint for others to learn from and copy.”

The Academy continues to transform the lives of Deaf young people, many of whom have additional needs, through specialist education, care and opportunities that help them develop independence and confidence.

More recently, the Clare Milne Trust awarded a further £10,000 towards the installation of a new puffin crossing, enhancing safety and accessibility for students, staff and visitors.

On this Clare's Day, we are proud to celebrate the difference that Clare's legacy continues to make to the Deaf Academy. Her belief in creating opportunities, fostering inclusion, and supporting people to reach their full potential lives on.

Recently, our Enterprise Team and a group of Post-19 students were delighted to attend the Deaf Cafe - Bovey TraceyWe wo...
14/07/2026

Recently, our Enterprise Team and a group of Post-19 students were delighted to attend the Deaf Cafe - Bovey Tracey

We would like to say a huge thank you to the organisers for inviting us and for their kind words following the event. We had a fantastic time meeting lots of new people from both the Deaf and hearing communities and sharing our knowledge with others.

"Their patience, kindness and enthusiasm made a huge difference and created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone attending." – Deaf Café Organiser

Community events like these are a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, improve communication, and raise awareness of BSL.

The students also shared their comic book, Declan and the Magical Processor, which was written, designed, illustrated and published by our Enterprise Team. The inclusive storybook is available to purchase on our website.

Thank you again for having us – we look forward to supporting future events and continuing to champion BSL within our communities.

We can't wait to see you at our Deaf Day on the top floor of Ocean in Exmouth (EX8 2AY) this Saturday 11th July, 10am -...
10/07/2026

We can't wait to see you at our Deaf Day on the top floor of Ocean in Exmouth (EX8 2AY) this Saturday 11th July, 10am - 4pm.

A free inclusive & supportive community event for everyone.

Celebrating Deaf culture & language & marking the Academy's amazing 200th anniversary milestone as leaders in Deaf education.

Click here for full details, with British Sign Language (BSL)
https://thedeafacademy.ac.uk/the-deaf-academy-is-hosting-devons-first-ever-deaf-day-in-exmouth/

Sponsored by SignVideo, Access Communication Services & Lipspeaker UK. Coordinated alongside Exmouth Festival, with BSL-supported activities throughout the weekend.

We're Hiring Residential Care Workers! Looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in the lives ...
08/07/2026

We're Hiring Residential Care Workers!

Looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in the lives of young Deaf people?

Join The Deaf Academy and become part of a supportive team dedicated to helping young people thrive. No experience is necessary – we'll provide full training, including British Sign Language (BSL) training.

What we offer:
• Salary from £24,823–£30,646 (subject to experience and sleep-in rate)
• Free onsite parking and meals while on shift
• Generous pension scheme with 8% employer contribution
• Life assurance scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Support to achieve a Level 3 Children and Young People's Diploma

If you're passionate about supporting young people and want a career with purpose, we'd love to hear from you.
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.thedeafacademy.ac.uk
📞 01395 203130
💬 Text: 07530 703482

👉 Apply today https://thedeafacademy.ac.uk/work-for-us/vacancies/

The Deaf Academy Welcomes Bees! 🐝The Deaf Academy has welcomed its first on-site beehives, giving Eco School students th...
07/07/2026

The Deaf Academy Welcomes Bees! 🐝

The Deaf Academy has welcomed its first on-site beehives, giving Eco School students the chance to learn practical beekeeping skills.

Students are expanding their understanding of ecosystems while developing patience, focus, responsibility and emotional regulation through caring for the bees.

Equipped with beekeeping suits and trained by experienced beekeeper and Trustee Bob, students have learned about honey bee life cycles, colony structure and the important role of the Queen Bee. They have also been taught how to approach a hive safely, use a smoker and spot signs of distress within a colony. Students who completed the programme received a Bee Awareness Badge in recognition of their achievement.

Jo, Deputy Head of School and a member of the Eco Club, said: "We have been following the tradition of 'Telling the Bees' when a person arrives or departs the community. This has really helped students cope with staff and friends leaving and moving on this year. We will make sure we 'tell the bees' about our new staff and students too in September."

The project was made possible thanks to support from Hagen's Bees, a generous Trustee and Saltash Tamar Lions. A memorable highlight came during a visit from HRH Princess Anne, when a student proudly presented her with a jar of honey produced at the academy. 🍯🐝

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Cream Tea fundraiser at the Bishop’s Palace Gardens and helped us raise j...
06/07/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Cream Tea fundraiser at the Bishop’s Palace Gardens and helped us raise just under £800!

We are so grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered, attended, and contributed to making the day such a success. Your generosity and community spirit made this wonderful event possible and will help us continue making a real difference.

Special thanks to our fantastic supporters:
• Parc Ferme Garage
• Tesco Exeter and Tesco Exmouth
• The Old Chapel Vintage Supplies
• Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream
• The Bishop’s Palace Gardens
• Darts Farm
• The Galley Restaurant Topsham

Every donation, raffle prize, cream tea enjoyed, and helping hand contributed to this fantastic fundraising total. We truly appreciate each and every person who supported the event.

Devon’s first Deaf Day is being held in Exmouth this Saturday 11th July - a free inclusive event for everyone, whether D...
06/07/2026

Devon’s first Deaf Day is being held in Exmouth this Saturday 11th July - a free inclusive event for everyone, whether Deaf, hard of hearing, or you simply want to learn more about Deaf culture, language & history.

Full details & British Sign Language (BSL) translation in link below.

Exhibitors & workshops, for all ages, will offer advice & share information throughout the day on the top floor of Ocean - Exmouth on Queen’s Drive, 10am -4pm.

The Deaf Academy is hosting this special event as part of its 200th anniversary celebrations. It shall also be holding pre-booked tours of its state-of-the-art facilities on Douglas Avenue in the afternoon.

This exciting day is sponsored by SignVideo Access Communication Services & Lipspeaker UK. It is timed to coincide with Exmouth Festival, which is running BSL-supported activities throughout the weekend.

For full details about the Academy’s Deaf Day & the inclusive Exmouth Festival sessions (with BSL) click here:
https://thedeafacademy.ac.uk/the-deaf-academy-is-hosting-devons-first-ever-deaf-day-in-exmouth/

Address

1 Douglas Avenue
Exmouth
EX82AU

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+441395203130

Website

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