A star of the hit BBC series Gladiators has officially opened a newly renovated residential block at the Royal School for the Deaf Derby (RSDD) as demand for places continues to grow.
Deaf athlete Jodie Ounsley – known to television audiences as Fury – visited the school in Ashbourne Road to cut the ribbon on the revamped building, which will house primary-age pupils aged between eight and 13.
The development comes amid growing demand for specialist places at the Ashbourne Road school, which recently received its third consecutive outstanding Ofsted report.
The five-month renovation project has transformed a previously disused building into 10 modern en-suite bedrooms for children who board at the school during the week.
Jodie, who has recently voiced the character of an audiologist in Peppa Pig, said: “It was so nice to visit the school and see the new residential block – it’s such a warm and welcoming space with great facilities.
“I went to a mainstream school with friends that could hear – who were great – but I never felt I had anyone I could truly confide in and I often tried to hide that I was deaf.
“I didn’t meet another deaf person until I was 16, so I never had that support network. Having a space like this means that after a difficult day, pupils can come back and be surrounded by those who genuinely understand them.
“It makes me so happy to know children at this school can simply be themselves, without feeling the need to hide that they are deaf or try to fit in.”
The refurbished building – named Lydia House after Lydia Roe, one of the country’s first female teachers of deaf pupils and wife of the school’s first headteacher – now includes a sensory room, lounge and breakout media room alongside the en suite bedrooms.
Pupils attend the school from across the UK – and in some cases overseas – to access its specialist provision. Each resident has their own private room and is given a budget to personalise it, helping ensure the accommodation feels like their own space.
Headteacher Paul Burrows said the redesign had focused on independence and creating a “home from home” environment.
“When designing the new block, we were determined to create an environment that respects our young people’s independence while reflecting a modern approach to residential living in 2026,” he said.
“We are an independent special school with charitable status, not a profit-making private school, and we funded this refurbishment project ourselves – from our reserves – because the residential unit has been consistently in demand.
“This investment reflects our long-term commitment to providing the very best environment for deaf children to thrive.”
Guests at the opening ceremony included Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire Liz Fothergill, Deputy Mayor of Derby Philip Ingall and Paul Hezelgrave, deputy leader of Derby City Council.
Mr Hezelgrave said: “This is my first time visiting the school and I’m really impressed. As a former teacher, it’s great to be back in a school environment and to see the fantastic work that’s happening here.
“This school is a very important element of our city and I am sure it is because of them that we are home to such a large deaf community, which is part of what makes our city so vibrant.
“The new facilities are outstanding, and we’re delighted to see this expansion creating opportunities for even more children to benefit from such a fantastic provision.”
ENDS
This press release was distributed by Penguin PR. To find out more contact Sarah-Louise Elton on 01332 416228 or by email at [email protected]
