Royal Deaf Education Trust

Overview

Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, marking an improvement from its previous ‘Requires improvement’ rating. The report highlights a supportive, inclusive environment where learners develop pride in their deaf identity and gain essential life skills for adulthood. While most learners make good progress, the report identifies specific inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and staff development that require attention.

Strengths

• Learners study in a “calm” and “adult-focused” post-19 centre, developing “a sense of pride in being a deaf person” and positive attitudes towards their studies.
• Staff effectively use British Sign Language (BSL) to create an inclusive environment, helping learners develop the confidence to “communicate their thoughts, feelings, wants and needs.”
• Therapists work closely with tutors to provide tailored interventions, ensuring learners receive the support needed to “access the curriculum content and make good progress.”
• The curriculum prepares learners well for employment through “ambitious work experience placements” and teaching practical life skills such as managing finances and booking interpreters.
• Governors provide “good oversight” of the provision, using their expertise to hold leaders to account and drive continuous improvement.

Areas to improve

• Ensure all learners study the personal development curriculum, as some currently miss out due to other commitments.
• Provide staff with more opportunities to develop their “SEND and pedagogical knowledge and expertise” and ensure teaching resources are age-appropriate for young adults.
• Improve oversight of learners’ overall progress across all subjects to enable “swift remedial action” if learners fall behind.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”