Susanna Wilkey TEACHERS and governors at Frank Barnes School for deaf children are over the moon it has been rated outstanding in its latest report. The school, which is facing continued uncertainty over the proposed co-location with Edith Neville School,

Susanna Wilkey

TEACHERS and governors at Frank Barnes School for deaf children are over the moon it has been rated outstanding in its latest report.

The school, which is facing continued uncertainty over the proposed co-location with Edith Neville School, has been judged outstanding by Ofsted in almost every aspect, including its new nought-to-two early years centre.

Headteacher Karen Simpson said: "We are all delighted with this report, and it is truly a reflection of the enthusiasm, dedication and vision of our fantastic team here.

"I am particularly pleased the way it emphasises how we care for the children's personal development as well as academic.

"One of the key issues is around access to hearing children and broader social groups which is what we want to realise with the co-location project.

"Our children need opportunities to mix and socialise with the broader hearing community in a safe and protected learning environment - that is what we would like to see from Camden Council as part of the move.

"Our children have one chance at education and it is our responsibility to make it the best chance possible. I am very proud because obviously we have been through a lot over the last two years and we have progressed as well which is brilliant."

The report praised the leadership and management and said: "The headteacher has established an ethos where everyone is continually striving to improve the provision so that pupils get every chance to succeed.

"Excellent systems for staff development and training ensure that staff are skilled in meeting the wide range of pupils' needs."

Inspectors also highlighted the "secure and harmonious environment" in which pupils mix.

They added: "The use of British Sign Language as the medium for teaching ensures that those pupils whose first language is not English make the same excellent progress as their peers."

Chairman of governors Stephen Phillips said: "I am over the moon and I put it down to the incredible hard work on the part of the staff and the senior management team, and the dedication and support of everyone who loves Frank Barnes and the hard work of the children we are there to help. It vindicates the decision by Camden Council to allocate �10million to rebuild us together with Edith Neville and vindicates the decision to keep deaf education at the forefront of life in Camden.