Sounds Good? A campaign for better acoustics in schools

Many deaf children can’t achieve if they can’t listen and learn effectively in the classroom.

NDCS has uncovered evidence that many new schools in England ignore the UK Government's guidance on acoustic standards. As the Welsh Assembly Government embarks on the 21st Century Schools Programme and invests millions in building and refurbishing schools and colleges in Wales, NDCS Cymru wants to make sure the same mistakes are not repeated in Wales. We want the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that funding is only given to new school and college buildings which will be tested to ensure that the acoustics sound good before they open.

The UK Government is responsible for setting building regulations for England and Wales. NDCS is also campaigning at Westminister to strengthen the law on acoustic standards.

You can help us show the Welsh Assembly why action is needed by telling us about your experiences of school acoustics.

You can also help us by contacting your MP. There is currently a review of the standards for acoustics in schools. We need MPs to put as much pressure as possible on the UK Government.

28 July 2009
The UK Government has set out its initial response to our campaign in a letter to NDCS, but it doesn't go far enough...
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24 July 2009
NDCS Cymru has been invited to give a talk on the importance of good classroom acoustics at a meeting of local authority representatives.
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23 June 2009
The leading union for teachers of the deaf have become the latest organisation to endorse our campaign.
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11 June 2009
MPs turn out in force to demand action on acoustics, as NDCS publishes damning results of survey of local authorities in England.
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9 June 2009
TV design expert, Kevin McCloud, lends his support for campaign.
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5 June 2009
NDCS Cymru calls on Welsh Assembly to make sure new schools sound good.
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26 March 2009
NDCS's campaign on acoustics got a mention in Parliament - but Ministers missed the opportunity to strengthen the law on acoustics.
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Welsh Assembly Government's 21st Century Schools Programme (external link)

Check out our photo gallery from a UK parliamentary event on 9 June, when deaf children talked to MPs about our Sounds Good? campaign.

Let us know what you think about school acoustics by leaving a comment at the bottom of this page, or email campaigns.wales@ndcs.org.uk

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