Exeter Deaf Academy and community campaign group to discuss opportunities to work together

Exeter Deaf Academy and Rolle Exmouth Ltd (REL) have agreed to explore ways they could potentially work together.

The move follows the announcement that the academy is planning a move from its current Exeter base to the former Rolle College campus site in Exmouth.

REL has been running a fundraising campaign to preserve the site as a vital community, education and business resource for future generations.

A workhub (pictured) is already up and running.

And board members say that the announcement this week by Plymouth University (which owned the site) that contracts had been exchanged took them by complete surprise.

However, they have welcomed the chance to sit down with the academy’s senior team to discuss the potential for shared opportunities.

Deborah Hallett, REL Chairman, said: “After negotiating with Plymouth University for six years we were surprised, and upset, to hear about this deal at the same time as everyone else, including the media.

“Having said that, we welcome the fact that the Exeter Deaf Academy has acted so swiftly in agreeing to meet us to discuss ways that we might be able to work together.

“We have many shared goals and both have the interests of the community at the heart of what we do.

“This is an unexpected twist but we remain determined to find the best possible outcome for the people of Exmouth.”

Steve Morton, Director of Development at the Exeter Deaf Academy, said he and his colleagues were keen to engage with local groups.

He added: “We are very excited at the prospect of a move to Exmouth. An important aspect of our vision for the new academy is that it helps bring deaf and hearing people together.

“To this end we are keen to meet with the people and community groups of Exmouth. We would be pleased to meet with Rolle Exmouth Ltd to help us understand their aims and explore if there are any opportunities to work together.

“We both share a desire to provide an educational future for the Rolle site which benefits the town.”