1841: the education of deaf children begins in Brighton in one of the rooms of St James' Church in Kemptown.

1842: the school moves to a house in Egremont Place.

1842: Mr William Sleight, the first headmaster of the school arrives from Yorkshire to take charge.

Old photographs of the school show the dormitories, the library and the chapel.

1910: the school grows so big that four more houses on Eastern Road are bought or rented - making room for 109 children.

1912: death of the first Headmaster William Sleight - he was headmaster for 71 years!

1914: First World War breaks out.

The school log-book reveals many interesting facts about the school.

1938: children fitted with gasmasks.

1939: the Second World War breaks out and all children evacuated to Wivelsfield Green.

1945: war ends and Ovingdean Hall is purchased.

1947: Ovingdean Hall opens as the 'Deaf and Dumb School'.

The school moved to Ovingdean Hall in 1947.

1962: school renamed Ovingdean Hall School for Partially Hearing Children.

1980s: name of school is changed to Ovingdean Hall School.

Quick Links
School Log Book
The Late Mr William Sleight
Changing The Way We Think...