The Royal School for the Deaf and Dumb Children, Margate, generously donated to the Deaf Museum and Archive an early 19th/20thC navy blue gentleman teacher’s uniform when the school closed down in December 2015 as its rarity was recognised. 
Above: The cap with R.S.D.D.C embroidered on the band
Is the School the oldest in the United Kingdom?
The school is not the oldest as the Braidwood Academy in Edinburgh was older but it is the oldest public institution for deaf children and was known as the London Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb Children of the Poor. It was founded in London in 1792 as the result of campaigning by a Bermondsey priest, the Rev. John Townsend, who believed education for deaf children should not just be for the very wealthy. The School moved to large purpose-built premises in the Kent Road (now Old Kent Road) in 1809. A few years later, in 1815 the London school was hugely oversubscribed. Children from all over the country wanted to join the School.
A witness described 73 applicants applying for only 15 places. The School opened a branch in Margate and eventually moved its whole operation from London to the seaside town so that pupils could benefit from the fresh air.
Sadly, after 220 years, the School closed its doors in December 2015.
Now the question is who wore the uniform?
The uniform is comprised of a long navy jacket with brass buttons and initials inscribed on the collar, trousers, braces and cap. The cap has the R.S.D.D.C
embroidered on the band.
The name of the owner of the uniform can be easily spotted on the braces – G. WHITE. The uniform appears to be Victorian but as the school changed its name from ‘The Royal Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb Poor’ to ‘The Royal School for Deaf and Dumb Children, Margate’ on 19th May 1915, the date of the uniform may be after 1915.
Below: The long navy jacket with brass buttons and initials inscribed on the collar,
trousers, braces and cap.
