Having a sight problem should not be a barrier to education.
We want to make sure that blind and partially sighted children are not held back but are instead equipped to get the best from their time at school and college, helping them gain the skills and confidence they need as they grow into independent and fulfilled adults.
We are aware that there is significant association between sight problems and complex needs and estimate that between 9,000 and 12,000 of the 25,000 children in the UK who are blind or partially sighted may also have additional disabilities.
We want to radically improve their life chances so, as well as supporting blind and partially sighted children in mainstream education, we provide specialist schools designed to cater for the children's individual needs and minimise the impact of their disabilities.
RNIB Sunshine House
Our specialist primary school and children's home in Northwood, Middlesex provides a safe and supportive environment for blind and partially sighted children aged between two and 11, who have significant learning disabilities as well as sight loss. Working closely with families, specialist staff ensure that achievements go beyond the classroom and into everyday life.
"Sunshine House is a great specialist school with lots going on for the children. The therapists are excellent and my child loves going there." Parent
"The school's promotion of equality is outstanding, and those with additional complex needs achieve as well as their peers. Throughout the school, pupils benefit from good teaching, with high expectations, positive relationships and exciting activities." Ofsted, June 2011
RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning
RNIB Pears Centre offers specialist education, care and therapies for children and young people with complex needs, aged up to 19, who are blind or partially sighted.
This Centre recently reopened with new state-of-the-art facilities, following one of our most ambitious projects ever and we are very grateful to you, our supporters, who helped make this redevelopment to modernise and extend our facilities possible.
The new buildings have some of the best technology and equipment. This has transformed the environment and improved the specialist support we provide for the children and young people, who live, learn and grow there.
"We wanted to create the best learning and living environment for the students to ensure that each young person realises his or her full potential and the awards so far achieved are testament to this." Lesley-Anne Alexander CBE, RNIB Chief Executive
"The beauty about RNIB Pears Centre is that everything is under one roof. Every single need is catered for. Fabian would be lost if it wasn't for this place." Jacqui - Mother of Fabian, a 17-year-old Pears Centre pupil
"RNIB Pears Centre has had an incredible impact: the teaching has brought new life into Nadia and she has developed independent living skills." Qayyum - Father of Nadia, an 18-year-old Pears Centre pupil.
RNIB College Loughborough
We support children as they move on to further education, work and housing. RNIB College Loughborough is one example of how we work to equip blind and partially sighted people with the skills they need to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and develop positive relationships.
The College offers various programmes for young people aged 16 to 25, supported by a range of college enterprises such as a gift shop, café, ebay shop, office and arts centre. These help develop the skills needed to progress on to the next stage in life, whether this is further education, employment or voluntary work, independent/supported living or accessing the community.
Students can stay in our residential accommodation where they get the opportunity to develop, practice and maintain important independent living skills in a safe but realistic adult environment, which acts as a stepping stone to supported or independent living.
We also offer courses ranging from Foundation Learning to A Levels and National Diplomas and many of our learners progress onto further education at their local college, higher education, employment or voluntary work.
Read about how attending RNIB College Loughborough has made a significant difference to Charlotte Clancy's life.
More information
Find out more about the ways we ensure blind and partially sighted children and adults gain get the best out of education and learning.