Support from local MP helps charity to victory on acoustics in schools

Following support from Malcolm Moss, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, for the National Deaf Children’s Society’s (NDCS) Sounds good? campaign, the Government has agreed to take action on acoustics in new schools in England.

In a new package of measures announced earlier this month, Local Authorities will not get funding for more schools unless the schools they have already built have passed acoustic testing.

This breakthrough decision came in response to evidence collected by NDCS that many new mainstream schools do not comply with Government standards on acoustics. A study published by the charity shows that only one in five local authorities surveyed could confirm that their new schools comply with the government standards on acoustics.

Malcolm Moss MP, who attended an event held by NDCS in June 2009 to meet a group of deaf teenagers to discuss the detrimental effects of poor acoustics in the classroom, said:

“I fully support the NDCS Sounds good? campaign. I am delighted that the Government has announced these measures to improve acoustics in schools, which will make a real difference to deaf children.

“I now call on all schools, Local Authorities and other bodies involved in the building process to enforce the new rules quickly and to maintain vigilance over their school rebuilding programmes. These actions will prevent the schools from incurring any further costs related to retro-fits.”

Brian Gale, Director of Policy and Campaign at NDCS, added:

“Evidence shows that good acoustics can also help improve the learning and behaviour of all pupils, and reduce health problems for teachers. They are nothing less than essential for deaf children, the majority of whom are now being taught in mainstream schools. We welcome the Government’s commitment to take action as a result of our Sounds Good? campaign to ensure new schools cater for the needs of deaf children.”

We are extremely grateful to Malcolm Moss MP for supporting the campaign and helping to ensure that school buildings are fit for deaf children to learn in.”