Royal Blind School Application Pack

Applying to the Royal Blind School

RoyalBlind.org

Welcome Thank you for your interest in the Royal Blind School. We have been providing education, care and support for children and young people with visual impairment since our foundation in 1835.

Contents 1 Welcome 2 What we offer 4 Expert staff and support 5 Facilities that increase independence 6 Individually tailored learning and development 7 Developing well-rounded individuals

9 Instilling confidence and independence 10 Bespoke care and residential packages 12 Admissions and fees 13 Our application process 14 Noting your interest

Today, our modern campus and expert staff have an international reputation for providing outstanding education and care to children and young people with visual impairment including those with additional complex needs. Our goal is to support pupils to maximise their potential and reach their personal goals through meaningful learning opportunities.

Through our person-centred approach we will deliver a skills-based curriculum alongside a more formal school approach.

We hope that this prospectus provides you with an overview of what we can offer your child. If you would like any further information, please contact me on admissions@royalblindschool.org.uk.

Kind regards, Lauren Lockhart and Michelle Cleasby Depute Head Teachers Applying to the Royal Blind School 1

What We Offer The Royal Blind School is Scotland’s only residential school providing specialist education to children and young people with visual impairment, including those with complex needs.

We offer daytime, respite and residential places, as well as full-time and part-time education, for pupils from pre-school age to early adulthood.

We offer: • A child-centred approach, meeting individual needs at every age and stage •

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A multi-disciplinary highly qualified and trained on-site team including nurses, care staff, therapists, habilitation specialists and support staff

Specialist staff, experienced in visual • A strong focus on experiential learning, multi- impairment including braille and tactile methods of learning, Canaan Barrie on-body sensory lessons and exploring through play • Unique knowledge and experience of signing and assistive technology complex needs • Building confidence and self-esteem • A full and flexible range of care and through independent living skills learning residential options, including 52-week provision, term-time and respite.

“I am so glad that my daughter is loving life again.

It seemed like I was the only one in her life who understood her. Now she has a full school behind her and she is shining like the brightest star.”

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Expert staff and support Our on-site multi-disciplinary teams work together to play a key part in our successful approach to learning, education, care and developing independence for children and young people. Our staff include: • Specialist teaching staff, many of whom are Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (QTVI)

• Nurses • Allied healthcare specialists (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists) • Qualified and SSSC registered care staff • Habilitation and mobility specialists • Support staff • A key worker for every pupil.

“The difference in my son in just one year has been amazing. His teachers are dedicated, knowledgeable and professional.”

Facilities that increase independence The Royal Blind School, located in Morningside, Edinburgh, has been designed specifically for children and young people with visual impairments and complex needs with:

room. These signifiers enable children and young people to know where they are within the building.

Our extensive on-campus facilities include: • A hydrotherapy pool • Appropriately modified and modern facilities • Multi-sensory lights room • Wide corridors • Soft play area • Colour contrasts • Traverse climbing wall • Handrails to facilitate independent navigation • Enclosed multi-use games area • Fully equipped accessible bathrooms.

• Sensory gardens • Themed courtyards for learning and play; Rooms have a ‘signifier’ outside above the handrail – an object that resembles what is inside ‘kitchen garden’, ‘sensory’ and ‘active’ • Log cabin and fire pit. the room, for example, a paintbrush for the art

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Developing well-rounded individuals Where appropriate and relevant we offer a range of activities such as music therapy, woodwork, cooking and kitchen skills, sports, and gardening. We offer mindfulness, which is proven to lessen anxiety levels, improve concentration and increase self-esteem and empathy. Children in the fourth, fifth, and sixth year also have the opportunity to take part in work experience.

Individually tailored learning and development At the Royal Blind School, your child will have the opportunity to fully participate in school life with a curriculum tailored to each individual.

We develop a bespoke programme of support, providing children with the skills to maximise their potential.

We create individualised learning programmes for our young people with complex needs and offer a range a range of therapeutic activities to support their development and encourage their independence and allow them to access their environment.

We aim to ensure that children and young people have a range of opportunities and experiences to enable them to become successful learners, responsible citizens, confident individuals and effective contributors to society, following the Scottish Government’s curriculum for excellence.

Pupils have access to a range of technology and equipment to support their learning. We offer qualifications and accreditation through various agencies including the SQA, Junior Awards Scheme Scotland and ASDAN.

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other activities within the local community.

There are a range of trips, activities and events on offer including music concerts, theatre, horse riding and skiing.

We follow a healthy eating programme and all meals are nutritionally balanced and freshly prepared in our kitchen during the school day.

Our chefs use fruits and vegetables grown in our kitchen garden, giving your child a hands-on Care, therapy and education staff work together opportunity to learn about food and nutrition closely to make sure that consistent approaches from plant to plate. For children and young people who have a residential place, meals are maintained. Staff are skilled at supporting children and young people with transitions at all are prepared by our residential care staff. We encourage pupils to help create meal plans stages which we recognise can be challenging. and learn how to shop for groceries with the support of our care staff.

Where appropriate pupils have the opportunity to attend after school groups such as Scouts, Guides, karate, choir and

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“The education of my son continues to be my highest priority. I am very pleased indeed with the continuing support and high standards of academic input he has been given.�

Instilling confidence and independence Our team of habilitation specialists deliver navigation, mobility, orientation and independent living skills training to children and young people in both indoor and outdoor environments through tailored one-to-one sessions.

Habilitation is essential for developing an understanding and awareness of the environment. We do this by providing real

experiences, which helps children and young people understand and participate in the world around them and prepare for adulthood.

Our allied healthcare team includes a range of therapists. The therapy team provide tailored support to maximise your child’s experience both within the school and at home. We recognise the importance of specific communication methods to enable children to express themselves, fully participate in their learning and form meaningful connections.

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Bespoke care and residential packages We offer a wide range of flexible residential options for children and young people with visual impairment and complex needs.

Residential care is tailored to suit the needs of your child.

Our welcoming on-campus accommodation provides a home from home for children and young people with full access to our extensive facilities. Each home has a shared lounge and activity area, a kitchen and dining room, private single bedrooms, and access to an enclosed courtyard and play area.

Residential care is provided by a team of qualified care and nursing staff and supported by therapy and habilitation staff.

The on-site nursing team work across our residential accommodation and school. They are a team of advanced clinical practitioners qualified to diploma/degree level in Child Health/Adult and Learning Disability Nursing.

Our SSSC registered care workers create an individualised care package to provide 24-hour support based on the needs of each child.

Our 52-week residential service is ideal for those who live further afield and whose needs make it challenging to return home during the holidays. We have a flat on campus, which is available for parents or carers to stay in during visits. A booking system is in place for this accommodation.

Some families prefer to take weekly residential places with children returning home to spend the weekends and holidays with their families. We also offer a nightly residential respite option.

Pupils who take up a residential placement can further develop friendships with their peers who are experiencing similar challenges. There are a variety of activities including:

• Guides and scouts groups • Sports and fitness, e.g. judo and swimming • Outings to theatres, concerts, cinema, cafes The nursing team provide direct care for children • Participating in local community activities. and young people with a range of diverse and Whichever residential option you choose for your complex medical conditions and health needs, working autonomously and making quick clinical child, they will receive a bespoke care package, designed to meet their individual needs. decisions. The nursing team are responsible for assessing care needs, developing care plans, and implementing and evaluating programmes of care.

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“The Royal Blind School knew how to look after my son when he was losing his sight. I knew that each day he was there he would be fine.”

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Admissions and fees The Royal Blind School is part of registered charity Royal Blind. The school is funded from a variety of sources that consist of a Scottish Government grant, fees from local authorities or privately funded places, and funds from Royal Blind (this includes monies from gifts in wills, fundraising from the community and generous donations to the charity).

Pupils receive funding from their local authority.

Fees are calculated based on the individual needs of the child, taking into consideration part-time or full-time placements, residential requirements as well as equipment, medical and dietary needs.

Our application process Initial enquiry received for a place at Royal Blind School

Information pack issued (includes process, fees & formal note of interest form)

Note of interest form returned?

Placing authority and parents advised that assessment will commence. Provisional offer of placement made.

For more information on our current fees visit www.royalblind.org/education

Multi disciplinary assessment Information gathering: Education reports Care reports Local authority reports Medical reports Home visits Educational visits Visits to school Care placement visits

Person centred education and care package to be discussed and agreed

Costing: Education provision Care provision Equipment needs Medical needs Dietary needs

Transition and admission arrangements made

“The Royal Blind School teachers look at what the pupils can do not what they can’t.”

Formal contract with placing authority

Alternative support signposted YES

Formal offer issued

NO

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Any questions, we’d love to hear from you Colin Hilditch, on 0131 446 3120 or admissions@royalblindschool.org.uk royalblind.org/education

Noting your interest If you are interested in starting the referral and admission process enrolment of a child or young person at the Royal Blind School, please complete the Note of Interest Form.

You should return the completed form to: Business Manager, Colin Hilditch, The Royal Blind School, Royal Blind, 45 Canaan Lane, Edinburgh, EH10 4SG

On receipt, we will contact your local authority to ensure that they are aware of your application and intentions.

Please contact the Business Manager if you have any questions regarding the admission process.

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How to find us Royal Blind School 43 Canaan Lane Edinburgh EH10 4SG Tel: 0131 446 3120

Email: admissions@royalblindschool.org.uk Web: www.royalblind.org/education @RoyalBlind /RoyalBlindCharity

The Royal Blind School is part of Royal Blind, Scotland’s largest sight loss organisation.

We care for, educate and support blind and partially sighted people across Scotland.

Transport The Royal Blind School has excellent transport links and is easily accessible by bus, car or on foot. There is free on-site car parking for visitors.

Royal Blind is a Scottish charity, number SC017167