Expertise for pupils, where and when it’s needed.
We empower educators and families by sharing our knowledge and experience of specialist education.
Through our support, our partners in education are equipped with the strategies, tools and understanding of visual impairment to enable blind and partially sighted pupils in all settings to access the curriculum.
Our approach extends to life outside the classroom. We focus on equipping parents, teachers and pupils with strategies and instil confidence by incorporating skills for life, like mobility and independent living, into the school day and life at home and beyond.
Uniting in partnership
Our team of specialist Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Visual Impairment (QTVI) work alongside colleagues in mainstream education to meet the learning goals of children and young people with visual impairment.
Our experts provide support to pupils and families, and advice to staff on curriculum access, independent living and social inclusion.
Enabling children and young people to thrive
Between budget constraints, teaching resources and time management, it can be challenging to consistently find the right ways to help each blind or partially sighted pupil to fully access their lessons, and to develop the skills essential to live a full life.
Our services also include supporting visually impaired pupils’ mobility and skills outside the classroom to help build their independence and gain skills for life.
Transforming outcomes
Our experts ensure that specialist skills, access to learning through braille, large print and assistive technology, and life skills become a part of pupils’ everyday learning.
We can guide school staff and parents on how visual impairment affects each pupil’s learning and help them to develop techniques to stop them falling behind.
We currently support pupils in the following local authorities:
East Lothian
Sight Scotland has been supporting pupils with visual impairment in East Lothian since August 2017.
We set up the East Lothian Vision Impairment Service to deliver the best possible support for blind and partially sighted pupils attending mainstream education. We work in partnership with NHS Lothian and third sector organisations.
Through this service, Sight Scotland's specialist teachers support pupils in East Lothian primary, secondary and Additional Support Needs schools.
Sight Scotland's teachers, who are Qualified Teacher of Children and Young People with Visual Impairment (QTVIs) work with local authority staff to bring about a deeper understanding of visual impairment. We assist local authority staff with the implementation of appropriate strategies and resources to maximise pupils' access to the curriculum.
Our work in East Lothian has resulted in pupils, teachers and parents feeling better equipped and having a better understanding of how successful inclusion can improve pupils’ lives.
Orkney Islands
Sight Scotland has assisted Orkney Islands Council with its provision of education to children and young people with visual impairment since August 2019.
Our specialist QTVIs (Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Visual Impairment) travel to Orkney Islands Council and work collaboratively with other teaching professionals to ensure each pupil's developmental needs and educational needs are being met.
Our QTVIs contributes to action plans for each pupil and advises staff in mainstream and specialist settings on curriculum access, independent learning and social inclusion. We work with pupils and staff to build skills in using assistive technology and provide emotional and practical support where required.
At key transition stages, our QTVIs links in with health, social work and education professionals to assist with pupil review processes.
Midlothian
Sight Scotland's specialist teachers began supporting around pupils with visual impairment in Midlothian schools in August 2020.
The service provides educational support to children and young people (aged three to 18 years) in Midlothian schools and early year establishments, including nursery, primary, secondary and Additional Support Needs schools.
Our Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Visual Impairment (QTVIs) visit pupils with visual impairment within the authority and meet with their parents and staff at local schools.
Action plans are developed to ensure that curricular access, independent learning and inclusion are maximised. Pupils are provided access to learning through braille, large print and assistive technologies, where appropriate.
Our approach extends to life beyond the classroom too. Parents and carers are supported through regular contact and training, empowering them with the best specialist knowledge on how to provide the best care for their child or young person.
"Chris is reading braille which he had never done before. He has taken to it so quickly and seems to really enjoy reading. His confidence is back and he is like a different child.
"It's difficult to express in words how grateful I am of this partnership between the Royal Blind School and East Lothian Council.”
Give us a call on 0131 229 1456
Together, we can offer the best learning experiences for children and young people with visual impairment.
“Our teachers are experienced in working with children with visual impairment, as well as complex additional support needs.
“Together, we help empower young people to become confident individuals and successful learners.”
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