SInce 1828, Van Beek gave religious instruction to the four deaf children in Gemert, North Brabant, using a mixture of sign language, writing and fingerspelling.

With help from the Roman Catholic Bishops of 's-Hertogenbosch and Breda, Van Beek was given the castle Nieuw-Herlaar [nl] at Sint-Michielsgestel.

The Zusters van de Choorstraat [nl] were asked to come and help teaching deaf children, They came on 15 September 1840 in St. Michielsgestel.

In 1844, the Sisters started Hostiebakkerij St. Michael [nl] which is a wafer bakery, created as an employment scheme for deaf people.

From the beginning, the School used the Van Beek gestures system, which is still used there today, mainly with deaf people with intellectual disabilities.

After the School's change to oralism, the use of sign language and gestures was actively discouraged with children being punished in the classroom.

It is speculated that the quality of education was in decline because much time was spent on speech training at the expense of other subjects and general language development.

A book written by a former pupil was released at the same time, recounting his experiences with sexual abuse at IvD.