Our history

Our story began in 1829, when Reverend William Carr Fenton – moved by the plight of a local labourer raising five deaf children – resolved to change their lives through education. For 195 years, we’ve created opportunity through education, care and community.

At a time when deaf children were often excluded from learning, Reverend William Carr Fenton’s vision was revolutionary. He believed that every child deserved the chance to communicate, belong and flourish – and he built a school in Doncaster to make that belief real.

From that small act of compassion grew a legacy that has endured for nearly two centuries.

The school became known as The Yorkshire Residential School for the Deaf, later Doncaster School for the Deaf — one of the first of its kind in the country.

Its early teachers, led by Charles Baker, were pioneers of Deaf education. Their passion, patience and perseverance shaped generations of learners, helping them to find their voice in a world that often refused to listen.

As one historian wrote, it was “an age of benevolence and social duty” – and the people who built this school embodied both. Their dedication transformed lives, not only through knowledge, but through care, connection and faith in every child’s potential.

Today, that same spirit lives on in The Carr Fenton Foundation.

We honour our founder’s name not only as a tribute to the past, but as a promise to the future: to continue his mission of inclusion, compassion and empowerment for generations to come.

Nearly 200 years later, our purpose remains unchanged – to give every person the chance to learn, grow and thrive on their own terms.