Having spent most of its 200 years in Exeter, the Deaf Academy (originally known as the Royal West of England Institution for the Deaf and Dumb), moved to the former Rolle College site in Douglas Avenue, Exmouth in 2020.  Since Daphne had already written a book about the site – "Exmouth's ROLLE" in 2015 – and a celebration of 200 years of her own Primary School – "So many Hearts make a School" (2007) and "This is our School” (2011) – this is a fitting sequel.  Interestingly, George Palmer School in Reading, Berkshire had a Partially Hearing Unit from 1956, which she studied for her Education thesis at Rolle College while training for teaching in the mid 1960s.

17 people have now contributed their reminiscences either as a student, trustee, member of staff (teaching or residential care) or a member of their family and "Signing on and off for 200 years" is now ready for publication during this bi-centennial year.  Memories cover a whole century of photographs and experiences of deafness ranging from Margaret Rundle’s of her parents’ who met while travelling on the train from St Austell to Exeter to recent or present day staff and students describing how they have been inspired to be the first Duke of Edinburgh award winner to sign a speech at Buckingham Palace or volunteer to deliver hearing aids to teenagers who need them in Ukraine.

Teachers who have devoted decades of service to the Deaf Academy have written of their experiences as have the families of others, including the three daughters of John and Barbara Stark who all lived on site throughout his time as deputy head thus enabling this story to be told by both deaf and hearing participants. 

The controversy as to whether signing should be encouraged in Schools for the Deaf is dealt with by those who have experienced both systems and is linked to the present gradual recognition of BSL as a GCSE subject and its use for all age groups, particularly for the elderly and very young.