It is with deep sadness that the British Deaf Association (BDA) learns of the announcement of the closure of Hamilton Lodge School and College, which will cease operations on 31 August 2025, after 80 years of dedicated service to the Deaf community. As a historic institution that has provided specialist education to Deaf students, its closure is a significant loss, particularly for Deaf children and their families who depend on such language-rich, inclusive environments. 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.
As the national representative organisation for British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) users in the UK, the BDA is committed to safeguarding the linguistic, cultural, and human rights of Deaf people. We are proud to be members of both the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), representing Deaf people’s rights on international platforms. We work to advance human rights and equality for Deaf people by collaborating with our members and stakeholders to influence governments, ensuring that Deaf individuals can access services in BSL, which are the first or preferred languages of approximately 151,000 people in the UK, including around 87,000 Deaf individuals for whom English may be a second or third language.
The BDA firmly believes that every Deaf child has an inherent right to access education in their natural language, BSL. This right is protected by international law, specifically through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). Article 24 of the CRPD ensures that Deaf children must have access to education in their national sign language, stating:
“3. States Parties shall enable persons with disabilities to learn life and social development skills to facilitate their full and equal participation in education and as members of the community. To this end, States Parties shall take appropriate measures, including:
b) Facilitating the learning of sign language and the promotion of the linguistic identity of the deaf community ”
This provision on inclusive education acknowledges the right of deaf individuals, including deaf children, to receive education in their national sign languages.
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 are more than just a language; it is a crucial link to the Deaf community, culture, and identity.
Additionally, Article 4.3 of the CRPD obliges governments to actively consult with representative organisations of Deaf people, such as the BDA in the UK, when making decisions that impact their rights. We urge the UK government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Deaf community to ensure that future education policies align with international standards and protect the rights of Deaf children.
The BDA’s Position on Deaf Education
As the national representative organisation of BSL in the UK, the BDA’s position on Deaf education is clear: all Deaf children deserve the right to learn and thrive in an environment where BSL is fully integrated into the curriculum and supported by qualified teachers fluent in BSL. Under our membership of the World Federation of the Deaf, we have adopted their position paper on inclusive education – the WFD supports high-quality inclusive education for deaf learners, which includes direct instruction in sign language, access to deaf teachers and peers who use sign language, and a bilingual curriculum that incorporates the study of sign language.
The BDA calls for the following key measures:
- Access to Natural Language: Deaf children must have access to BSL from the earliest possible age, ensuring that their language development is supported in a natural and spontaneous way. Language deprivation can have lifelong consequences, and we must prevent it by providing rich linguistic environments.
- Inclusive Educational Settings: Deaf children should be educated in settings where BSL is not only used but celebrated, alongside their Deaf peers and role models. This enables them to develop a strong sense of identity and belonging within the Deaf community.
- Qualified Teachers Fluent in BSL: It is essential that teachers in Deaf schools or inclusive settings possess native-level proficiency in BSL to deliver the best possible education. This also helps foster an environment where Deaf culture and linguistic identity are respected and promoted.
The BDA is committed to continuing its advocacy for the rights of Deaf children to access quality education in BSL and to ensuring that the UK meets its obligations under the UN CRPD. The closure of Hamilton Lodge School and College is a call to action for all stakeholders to come together and protect the future of Deaf education in the UK.
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Media contact:
Julia Esse
Head of Communications and Fundraising
E: julia.esse@bda.org.uk
T: 07939933129
