The John Townsend Trust
Educating young deaf people with additional needs to fulfil their full potential.
Our mission is to educate and care for deaf children and young people, who may have additional needs, for a positive future.
The John Townsend Trust is a new charity which was registered in December 2008. It was formerly the Royal School for Deaf Children Margate. The Trust provides education, care, therapy, medical support and independence training for young deaf people with additional needs. We strive to release the potential for each individual by building confidence and independence skills and letting them know that they are valued, special and cared for.
The John Townsend Trust
Our current facilities include:
- The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate: a day and residential special school for deaf children with additional needs aged 4 to 17 based in Margate, Kent.
- Westgate College for Deaf People: a day and residential specialist college for deaf children with additional needs aged 16 and over based in Margate and Westgate, Kent.
- Community Living Services: a range of Supported Living, Residential Care units, Transition and Day Services including Social Enterprise and volunteering activities for young deaf people aged 19 and over based in Margate.
- Professional Resource Centre at Margate, Kent: offering training and professional development for external clients.
- Monkshill Farm at Dargate, Kent: our working farm which offers placements for a wide range of learners from our School, College and Community Living Services together with placements for learners from local mainstream and special schools and colleges in Kent.
- John Townsend Enterprises Limited: our trading arm responsible for the sale of our Farm produce.
The John Townsend Trust
Our Specialism
We offer a total communication environment in which all forms of communication
are valued. Person centred communication is at the heart of everything we do. We
use British Sign Language, Sign Supported English and Augmentative
Communication Systems including objects of reference and significance.
We have a wide range of specialists including Teachers of the Deaf, Nursing and
Medical Staff, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, a Visual
Adviser, Audiologist and Physiotherapist. A key strength of our organisation is the
emotional and behavioural support that we provide for all our learners. We are funded through fees from Local Authorities, local Learning and Skills Councils, Social Services and Health Authorities. In addition, our fundraising activities raise funds for specific development projects designed to enhance our provision and keep us at the forefront of education and services for young deaf people with additional needs.
