Oralism & The Royal School for the Deaf, Margate

painting of turreted red building

Nina describes how decisions made at a conference in Milan in 1880 may have harmed the education of deaf children for a century, and describes her own experience of becoming deaf and beginning to learn BSL.

The lucky few

Children in pinafores outside the Royal School for the deaf in Margate

In the late 18th century Reverend Townsend of Bermondsey began raising funds and awareness to create the first education for deaf children who did not come from wealthy homes.

The Royal School for Deaf Children

painting of turreted red building

The Royal School for Deaf Children was founded in 1792, the first public institution to provide a free education for this group.  It opened a branch in Margate in 1876 and moved entirely from London to Margate in 1905, so pupils could benefit from the sea air. Sadly, the school went into administration in late… Read more »