Thumbs Up Frank Barnes!
Camden Gazette 07 Nov 2007
Kids stage a Hallowe'en protest over deaf school
07 November 2007
FROM LEFT: young protesters Saskia Shuker, 10, Reuter Vysniauskaite, 10, William Grint, 10, and Krishan Parmar, 10, inside Camden Town Hall
A GROUP of children caused a stir when they flooded the public gallery of a council meeting to fight for the future of one of England's only deaf schools last Wednesday.
Parents, governors, students and friends of Frank Barnes School in Harley Road, Swiss Cottage, gathered outside the executive meeting in Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, King's Cross, in full Hallowe'en costume to stage the protest.
Protesters flooded the public gallery and chanted: "Nightmare in Harley Road, Frank Barnes deserves a home" - until councillors listened to their pleas.
The school's future has been up in the air since plans were announced to seize its land and replace it with a city academy for older students.
Frank Barnes governor Mike Katz said: "We want the council to live up to the positive commitment we received at the previous representation. We feel that it can't be beyond Camden to find the money we need. It's a shame we've had to stir up such a hornet's nest to get here."
Matt Grint, the father of 10-year-old deaf student William, said: "We found out William was deaf at seven weeks and didn't know what to do. Frank Barnes was a blessing and even helped teach us sign language.
"For this government to destroy the one deaf school in the country would be a poor legacy."
Councillor John Bryant, executive member for children, said: "The decision will come in February. Any proposals will be of an equivalent or better provision than the provision of Frank Barnes now."
Councillor Keith Moffitt, leader of the council, added: "It is great to see the public interested in politics."
After the meeting, Mr Grint said: "It's good news that there will at least be a decision. Things are happening and there's a momentum behind the campaign. We only thought of doing this yesterday and it seems to have worked. I was so proud of the kids and the noise they made.
"Without schools like Frank Barnes it can be a very lonely world for deaf people."
Frank Barnes School's future is still uncertain as it could be merged with Blanche Neville in Muswell Hill, added to an existing Camden primary or rebuilt on a new site.
Protester Saskia Shuker, 10, said: "The kids would have to go to a school where they don't know anyone. Couldn't they build it somewhere else? To knock it down and not build it again would be unfair.
