The Deaf Academy

What The Deaf Academy does

The Deaf Academy is a registered charity (Royal Deaf Education Trust, Charity No. 1124523) operating England's oldest Deaf school, founded in Exeter in 1826 and relocated to a purpose-built Exmouth campus in 2020. It provides specialist bilingual education (British Sign Language and English), 52-week residential care, supported internships, and a comprehensive suite of therapeutic services (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, audiology, counselling, and Communication Support Workers) to Deaf young people aged 9-25, the majority of whom have additional complex needs, drawn from local authorities across the UK. The Academy operates three core educational programmes — School (9-18), College (16-18), and an Adulthood programme (19-25) — alongside residential provision through Rolle House children's home (Ofsted Outstanding) and the pioneering Fearnside Adult Learning and Residential Centre.

Revenue is generated primarily through local authority placement fees (recurring per-student commissions) and supplemented by charitable donations, trust and foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and community fundraising events. Go-to-market is community- and event-led, relying on local authority referrals, Deaf community awareness, partnerships with national Deaf charities, and student-led outreach (Deaf Awareness training delivered to the Police, NHS, Met Office, and National Trust). The Academy does not publish pricing and operates with no commercial distribution channels, parent company, or external equity capital.

Strategic positioning rests on regulatory credibility (Ofsted Good, Rolle House Outstanding), 200 years of brand heritage including Royal patronage, a state-of-the-art sensory-focused campus, and a first-mover position in UK post-19 Deaf adult provision. Governance sits with a Board of Trustees chaired by Dame Angela Pedder DBE, with Sylvan Dewing as Principal and Chief Executive.

Name

The Deaf Academy

Legal name

Royal Deaf Education Trust

Website

https://thedeafacademy.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1826

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Deaf Academy is a UK charity (Royal Deaf Education Trust) operating England's oldest Deaf school, delivering bilingual BSL/English education, residential care, and therapeutic services to Deaf young people aged 9-25 with additional needs, funded mainly through local authority placements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialist Deaf Education and Residential Care

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

OT Evaluations, Assessments & IEP/504 Planning Support (EDAKAFAM), Hearing Impairment & Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Inclusive Childcare (HSAAAIAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG)

Keywords

• Specialist deaf education
• Residential child care
• Bilingual sign language
• Deaf awareness training
• Vocational deaf programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Exmouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Educational Funding (Local Authority Placements): The Academy provides specialist education to Deaf young people (aged 9-25) with additional needs, funded primarily through placements commissioned by local authorities across the UK. Students travel from regional and national local authorities.
2. Residential Care Fees: 52-week residential provision for Deaf young people in care, including Rolle House children's home (ages 9-17). Funded through local authority looked-after-children placements.
3. Charitable Grants and Trust Funding: Grants from trust funds and foundations such as Postcode Local Trust (£30,000+ raised), Boshier-Hinton Foundation (matched donations), and individual donor gifts such as the £5,000 Devon Freemasons donation.
4. Public Donations and Fundraising: Individual fundraising through events (Colour Bomb, Santa Run, marathon runs, skydives, swims), charity partnerships (Princesshay £18,000+), and direct appeals (£250,000 new build fit-out campaign).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Deaf Academy is a registered charity (Royal Deaf Education Trust) operating a specialist bilingual (British Sign Language and English) school, college and residential care provision for Deaf young people aged 9-25 with additional complex needs in Exmouth, Devon. Core offerings comprise a School (ages 9-18), College (ages 16-18), Adulthood Programme (ages 19-25), and 52-week residential care at Rolle House children's home and the Fearnside Adult Learning and Residential Centre, supported by an integrated team of therapists and communication support workers.

Product overview

The Deaf Academy is a single educational institution offering a comprehensive suite of specialist services for Deaf young people aged 9-25. The core offerings include School (ages 9-18), College (ages 16-18), and Adulthood Programme (ages 19-25) providing bilingual education in British Sign Language and English. Supporting these are residential care services through Rolle House Children's Home (ages 9-17) and the Fearnside Adult Learning and Residential Centre (first of its kind in the UK). Student support services include Speech and Language Therapy, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Counselling, and Communication Support Workers. Additional programmes include Supported Internships for employment preparation, Family Sign Language Weekends for community outreach, and an Eco-School Programme for environmental education. All services are coordinated to provide a holistic, bilingual educational environment for Deaf students with additional needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School (Ages 9-18) Specialist bilingual (BSL and English) curriculum and teaching for Deaf young people aged 9-18, the majority of whom have accompanying additional complex needs. Delivered by Communication Support Workers on the Exmouth campus.
• College (Ages 16-18) Further education for Deaf students aged 16-18, including vocational courses (BTEC Level 2 Sports and Outdoor Adventure, Level 1 Digital Media, Level 2 Catering) delivered in partnership with Exeter College and Bicton College, plus supported internships to prepare students for adulthood and employment.
• Adulthood Programme (Ages 19-25) Specialist further education and residential provision for Deaf young adults aged 19-25, supporting transition to independent living and employment through the Fearnside Adult Learning and Residential Centre.
• Rolle House Children's Home 52-week Ofsted Outstanding-rated residential care home for Deaf young people aged 9-17 in care, providing intensive assistance, safeguarding, daily living skills and therapeutic support. Building provided by Eagle One property company on a long lease.
• Fearnside Adult Learning and Residential Centre Pioneering residential and learning centre for young Deaf adults, the first of its kind in the UK, offering specialist support for independent living alongside the Adulthood Programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ofsted 'Good' — highest rating in the Academy's history — with Rolle House rated 'Outstanding'
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Splash ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Exmouth-based Splash Projects worked closely with the Deaf Academy to co-design and install the Learning and Sensory Outdoor Area — a bespoke deaf-centred space featuring vibration-responsive panels, tactile pathways, and interactive water features. Also built an outdoor classroom for the Academy during its bicentenary year.
• HSBCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 May 2026HSBC sponsored the Academy's 200th anniversary celebration day attended by The Princess Royal and Minister for Social Security and Disability.
• Northcott TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Northcott Theatre in Exeter for theatrical inclusion and creative collaboration, featured on BBC Spotlight as part of the Academy's bicentenary countdown.
• RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeaf Academy students partnered with the local RNLI to deliver bespoke Deaf Awareness training focusing on water safety, as part of Deaf Awareness Week preparations.
• Exeter CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational partnership providing college courses including BTEC Level 2 Sports and Outdoor Adventure, Level 1 Digital Media, Level 2 Catering, and Small Animal Care Level 1 at Bicton College.
• Eagle One (Property Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerExeter-based property company provided a suitable building for Rolle House children's home in Exmouth, granting a long lease to ensure the home is available long-term. Close connection to Exmouth through Exmouth Quay development.
• Wooden Spoon (Children's Charity of Rugby)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable partner contributing to the £50,000 Learning and Sensory Outdoor Area fundraising campaign.
• Exeter Chiefs FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable foundation partner for the Learning and Sensory Outdoor Area project.
• Exmouth TescominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for the Learning and Sensory Outdoor Area project.
• Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton Lions ClubsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for the Learning and Sensory Outdoor Area project.
• Feel Good Garden Crew (led by Matt Leigh)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatt Leigh from ITV's 'Love Your Garden' led a team that gave Rolle House garden a complete makeover free-of-charge, including a sensory trail, sunken trampoline, pull-up bars, and social seating. Team dedicates time annually to selected charities.
• Princesshay Shopping CentremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincesshay named Exeter Deaf Academy as its 2016 Charity of the Year, raising £18,224.79 through events including car raffle (with Mercedes-Benz of Exeter), kit sponsorship, and City to Sea Marathon. 80 volunteers contributed 1,000 hours selling 6,000 raffle tickets.
• Mercedes-Benz of ExeterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated a Mercedes A-Class as raffle prize for Princesshay charity partnership, raising over £18,000.
• Bradleys (South West's largest independent estate agents)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBradleys named Exeter Deaf Academy as their 2016 charity partner, encouraging 200 staff across 33 branches to tackle fundraising activities for the new build project.
• The Great Outdoor Gym CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupplied inclusive outdoor gym equipment accessible for children with physical and sensory disabilities and complex needs, including recumbent bike, hand bike, cross trainer, and sit-up bench.
• Kings Garden Centre, ExmouthminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided generous discount on garden equipment including trug planters for the sensory garden, which was designed and built by residential students.
• Big Wave MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal marketing agency that provided work experience for Academy student Kenny, supporting a Deaf Awareness campaign designed to teach hearing people about the Deaf Academy.
• PaddleBoat Theatre CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Academy students on 'The Mystery of Mr X' — a secret play performed at Exeter Phoenix, combining theatre and Deaf storytelling.
• Quirk TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents participated in Quirk Theatre's Mary the Pigeon painting and collage workshops, part of Arts Council funded project.
• Dawlish Garden TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon Deaf students with additional needs attend weekly vocational training sessions at Dawlish Garden Trust, making strides in gardening skills.
• The Prop FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExeter-based prop hire company delivered a business lesson talk to students.
• Michelmores SolicitorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteers from Michelmores helped plant bulbs, tidy flower beds, and refresh playground equipment during a community volunteering day.
• Police Forces (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademy students helped pioneer a national training initiative to help police officers across the UK communicate more effectively with the Deaf community, from explaining handcuffing's impact on communication to medical terminology.
• NHS (including Breast Screening Clinics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents delivered Deaf Awareness training tailored to NHS staff, including medical terminology used in breast screening clinics.
• Met OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademy students delivered Deaf Awareness training to Met Office staff as part of the Academy's national outreach program.
• National TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademy students delivered Deaf Awareness training to National Trust staff as part of the Academy's national outreach program.
• Exeter Southernhay and Topsham Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRotary Club members visited the Academy to experience the new Woojers vibrating vests, supporting the Academy's sensory technology program.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Seashell Trust: UK specialist school and college in Cheshire for children and young people with complex learning disabilities and sensory impairments including deafness. Highly comparable: specialist residential education, additional complex needs focus, Ofsted-regulated, charity-operated.
• Mary Hare School: UK specialist secondary school for deaf children (Newbury). Most direct comparability: similar bilingual BSL/English provision, residential and day placement model, specialist education for deaf students with additional needs. National referral footprint commissioned by local authorities.
• Treloar School and College: UK specialist school and college in Hampshire for students with physical disabilities and complex needs including sensory impairment. Comparable charity structure, residential model, comprehensive therapies, and Ofsted-inspected provision for students with multiple complex needs.
• Aurora-Bamburgh School (formerly Royal School for Deaf Children, Margate): UK specialist day and residential school for deaf children in Kent, part of Aurora Schools group. Direct peer: specialist deaf education, residential provision for local authority commissioned placements, additional needs focus.
• National Star College: UK specialist FE college for young people with complex disabilities including sensory impairment, providing residential and day placements. Comparable post-16/adulthood provision model, therapies, and local authority commissioning.

Emerging players

• Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID): UK's largest charity for people with hearing loss. Overlaps with the Academy through national advocacy, BSL awareness, and accessibility training that complement the Academy's specialist education and Deaf Awareness delivery to national organisations.
• Sense: UK charity supporting people with deafblindness and complex disabilities. Highly relevant for the Academy's segment with additional complex needs — comparable specialist support services, advocacy, and family/community programs alongside residential/educational provision.
• National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS): UK charity advocating for and supporting deaf children and families. While primarily an advocacy/support organisation rather than a school, it operates Family Sign Language and related programs that overlap with the Academy's Family Sign Language Weekends and BSL workshops.

Regional players

• Royal National College for the Blind (RNCB) Hereford: UK specialist college for visually impaired students aged 16-25 in Hereford. Comparable further-education/adult residential model with national local authority commissioned placements; however focused on sight rather than hearing loss.

Broad incumbents

• Henshaws Society for Blind People: UK charity providing specialist education, housing, and support for people with sight loss and complex needs. Comparable charity structure, residential and educational services, but focused on visual impairment rather than deafness — adjacent sensory disability category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/deafacademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCKx9004qUwhMMT2kOX2bGw
• Facebookfacebook.com/DeafAcademyUK
• Instagraminstagram.com/deafacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Deaf Academy