What to look for at school

Here are things you should ask about when you go to a school to see if it is suitable for your child.

Make sure that the staff understand that the following things affect how your child learns:

  • lighting
  • accessibility of boards
  • colour contrast
  • space and layout
  • consistency
  • safety and security.

What should I talk to teachers about?

When you are preparing to enrol your child in a primary school, make sure you discuss the following things with teachers:

  • Teachers must know about your child's visual functioning (how well they can see), and what strategies they have already developed to access various things, eg using auditory or tactile reinforcement.
  • Agree some teaching strategies, eg the teacher calls the child by name before speaking to them; they should explain clearly what is going on if it relies on visual information etc.
  • Make sure the class teacher is prepared to do forward planning with your child's Teaching Assistant, with support from a Qualified Teacher of Visually Impaired Children (QTVI).
  • Make sure that all the adults involved are willing to work as a team with your child as he or she gets more able to voice any views.
  • The school staff need to be aware that they should allocate time to adapt materials, or locate and purchase commercially produced materials.

Always discuss any concerns with the class teacher, inclusion manager and QTVI.

Last updated: 9 October 2009

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