Covid outbreak at Deaf Academy

New Exmouth campus closes as precaution

Devon's Deaf Academy, which opened last month at its new purpose-built home in Exmouth, has closed temporarily because of an outbreak of coronavirus among staff and students.

The college caters for 48 hearing-impaired youngsters from age 11, many of whom are boarders. The Academy says seven people, four students and three members of staff, have tested positive since a case was confirmed at the weekend, and teaching has now moved online.

They say: "In consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the chair of the governing body, we made the immediate decision to close the Academy building as a precautionary measure."
 
"In accordance with PHE protocols, a number of staff and students have been required to self-isolate. This situation is fluid and, as yet, we do not have a confirmed date for the campus to reopen."
 
Principal Sylvan Dewing stated: “We are working closely with parents to ensure the temporary closure does not have an impact on teaching. We established a successful online Academy during lockdown which is in place and has resumed. As ever, education and student and staff wellbeing remain our utmost priority. We will continue to be in communication with our parents as we receive the latest updates from Public Health England.”