Government's initial response on acoustics not good enough

In a letter to NDCS, the Goverment has said it won't consider introducing mandatory acoustic testing until at least 2013, despite evidence that countless new schools are being built now with poor acoustics.

NDCS is calling for a mandatory and watertight requirement for acoustic testing to guarantee that deaf children are able to listen and learn effectively in the classroom.  

In the letter, the Minister recognises that "good acoustics is an essential part of a learning environment for all children and particularly for those with special hearing requirements". The Minister also sets out some of the actions the Government will take in response to our campaign, including:

• Strengthening the recommendation in government guidance that there should be acoustic testing of all new school buildings.
• Introducing a new draft contract for local authorities building new secondary schools that includes a reference to acoustic testing.
• Producing new user friendly guidance on acoustics.
• Conducting post-occupancy evaluations of new school buildings.

None of the above steps would result in acoustic testing of all new schools (including primary schools) and NDCS does not believe that 'recommending' testing or suggesting draft contracts is sufficiently watertight. NDCS is therefore calling on the Government to go further.

NDCS believes that acoustic testing is needed because poor workmanship and product substitution can lead to inferior acoustics, even where good acoustics have been considered at the design phase.

Next steps

Baroness Wilkins has called for a change to the law to introduce acoustic testing in new school buildings, which will be debated in the House of Lords in October. This will be a great opportunity to make progress.

In the meantime, NDCS will be continuing to press MPs and the Government for action on this issue.

Thank you

Over 400 NDCS supporters have contacted their MP to demand action on acoustics - an amazing show of support. Thanks to this, nearly 80 MPs have signed a parliamentary petition on acoustics, whilst 45 MPs came to a parliamentary event on acoustics recently.

More information:

Letter from government Minister to NDCS on acoustics (July 2009) (89 kb)

NDCS briefing on acoustics (171 kb)

List of MPs supporting NDCS's Sounds good? campaign

NDCS's Sounds good? campaign