Have your say on the Proposal to close or relocate Jubilee Resource Base for Deaf Children

The Proposal

The proposal is to keep open, close or relocate the resource base by the Summer of 2025 and we would like to hear from parents, stakeholders, members of the deaf community, practitioners, teaching staff and any other groups these proposals may have an impact on. 

It is the view of Lambeth’s Hearing Impairment Support Service that the benefits of a

Deaf Resource Base are:

Onsite qualified professionals provide daily support for deaf children in and out of the base. 

Appropriate specialist interventions, including sign language and other visual methods, in the following settings:

• One to one
• Paired
• Group
• In-class support
• Pre and post-teaching
• Deaf awareness curriculum for covering social, emotional, mental well-being and deaf identity issues
• Daily equipment checks and support and encouragement for those newly aided

Support for school staff:

• Modelling differentiation
• Providing visual materials and guidance on their use
• Training on use and effectiveness of technology
• Liaison with Speech and Language services to advise on inclusive practice

Peer Group

Deaf children, as a SEN cohort, are fairly unique in identifying closely with one another, irrespective of age, background, gender, communication method, and level of deafness.  There is a strong, often lifelong bond between deaf children and young adults who share common experiences, difficulties and frustrations. 

Location

We would also like to gather views on possibly relocating the Base to another Mainstream Primary School. This would of course be in Lambeth and we would like to understand how a move to another area may have an impact. So please provide views on preferred options for school or locations. This will help us work with our schools to decide the best location if the decision is to move the base. 

Meeting Deaf Pupils' Needs in Mainstream Classes

While closing a Deaf Resource Base may present challenges, it may also provide an opportunity to enhance inclusivity and support within mainstream education through targeted training, collaboration, and personalised educational planning for Deaf pupils. 

Lambeth is aware that effective implementation of these strategies is crucial to ensuring that all students, including those with specific needs like Deaf pupils, receive a quality education that meets their individual requirements. We would also like to hear your views on this option. 

Equality Impact

Once we have gathered all views we will use this to inform an Equalities Impact Assessment which will be shared. 

Background / Purpose of consultation

The Deaf Resource Base at Jubilee has provided support to deaf students for over 10 years. However, due to consistently low pupil take up, we are considering closing or relocating the base. The consultation provides detailed information about the proposal and seeks your input on alternative options and the overall impact on our students and community. 

Next steps after the consultation closes

We will prepare a report with a summary of the findings of the consultation responses.  Organise follow-up meetings with key stakeholders and experts to review original proposals and any new alternative suggestions.  Lambeth Council will make a final decision based on the findings, expert advice and the revised proposals.

We will update this page with the outcome of the consultation.