Deaf students entertain Exeter Christmas shoppers

On Thursday 8th December, Princesshay shoppers were treated to a different kind of carol service by the Exeter Deaf Academy.

Students from Exeter Deaf Academy took to Princesshay to perform carol favourites, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night, O Come all ye Faithful, Away in a Manger, Frosty the Snowman and White Christmas, in British Sign Language (BSL).

The Exeter Deaf Academy Christmas choir was led by BSL Instructor, Nikki James and Expressive Arts teacher Deb Thomas. Both students and Academy staff encouraged the public to join in with the signed Christmas carols.

Princesshay announced Exeter Deaf Academy as its charity partner for 2016 in February this year. Charity events and fundraising activities have included Go-Kart Party raising over £700 by donating 10% of the takings to the charity and Princesshay's security team taking part in The City to Sea Marathon, a challenging 26.5-mile route from Exeter to Babbacombe Downs in Torquay.

Helen Trebble, Marketing Manager at Exeter Deaf Academy said: "The beautiful thing about Christmas carols is that they are so expressive and visual through sign language. The children get such a sense of confidence from performing to the public and we had quite a crowd gather to watch our choir. Shoppers were commenting how brilliant it was to watch how British Sign Language bring Christmas carols alive and thought it was something which should be done in public more often. Others were moved to tears which was so touching".

To find out more about the innovative work carried out by Exeter Deaf Academy visit www.exeterdeafacademy.ac.uk/support-us