Priestley Smith Specialist School

We are a specialist school for students whose primary need is a visual impairment and we educate and care for students aged 2-19. We offer nursery places as well as a Stay and Play for 0-2 years. We also have Primary and Secondary school provision through to sixth form. We have a strong multi-disciplinary team including occupational therapy, habilitation, specialist repro graphics including Braille and tactile resources, assistive technology, physio, nursing, speech and language, music therapy and other specialisms. All of our staff are highly trained including qualified teachers of the visually impaired, Braille teachers, habilitation and other specialisms. Our facilities have been specifically built to accommodate students with visual impairments.

Our innovative and forward thinking staff are able to continuously build a fun and happy environment, which safeguards the welfare and well-being of all within our school. Our consistent approach and highly trained staff, are able to build long lasting, trusting relationships with our students, through an ethos of respect and dignity.

We pride ourselves in taking the time to get to know what is best for each individual in our care, supporting them through managed and planned transitions to support each and every step of their journey. Our academic curriculum is tailored to the individual needs of each child and also includes the specialist VI curriculum to ensure that all of our students are prepared for the world around them through our Preparation for Adulthood programme which spans from nursery through to our sixth form.
We are here to support and meet the needs of children and young people who live locally and regionally with a visual impairment and other needs in addition to their VI. We are flexible and accept change and think about how best to adapt our strategies and resources for each and every child in our care.

Our Vision

To be an outward-looking centre of excellence in the education of children with visual impairments.

Our Mission

Through high quality teaching, learning and pastoral care, to develop confident, caring and independent young people who are able to succeed in the world in their chosen field.

Our Aims

• A safe, caring and supportive learning environment which enables all students to achieve to their maximum potential and encourages them to be as confident, resourceful and independent as possible
• High quality first hand learning experiences for all students, delivered by specialist teaching and support staff
• Full access to a broad, balanced and highly differentiated mainstream curriculum, modified to meet the visual, learning and social needs of each child
• Opportunities for both academic and social inclusion throughout all phases with campus and local schools
• Small groups with a high teacher-student ratio
• Consistently high quality resources and materials for all students, including specially adapted Information and Communication Technology
• Individualised training in mobility and Independent Living Skills, delivered by specialist, on-site habilitation staff
• A range of additional extra-curricular activities to supplement class-based learning
• An environment in which diversity is celebrated and in which all barriers to inclusion are challenged
• A close working partnership with parents and carers, which enables them to be fully involved in their child’s learning