Learning at RNIB Sunshine House School

Our specialist school educates blind and partially sighted children with significant learning difficulties and disabilities up to the age of 14 years. Children under the age of five can attend our early years class on a full or part-time basis.

Our pupils

Many children at RNIB Sunshine House School have other needs as well as a vision impairment, including:

Significant learning difficulties and disabilities
Multi-sensory impairment and deafblindness
communication difficulties
physical disabilities
additional medical and healthcare needs, including long-term ventilation or life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.

Our approach to teaching

Each child will be assessed by one of our skilled staff and a programme devised that meets their individual needs, interests and abilities.

We know it’s important that a child's development continues outside of the school day, so we work closely with families. For example we:

share a child’s achievements through their home school diary
welcome parents into the school at all times
hold meetings during term to discuss a child’s progress.

Our curriculum

Children under five follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, and attend school on a full or part-time basis. Those over five years follow a full-time curriculum supporting their special education needs.

Every child has an individual education plan so their learning and development is at the right level and pace for them. Daily activities are varied, inspiring and educational, and lessons can involve whole groups, small groups or one-to-one.

Our teaching team

Our teaching team is highly skilled and qualified in working with children with vision impairments and a range of learning difficulties and disabilities. We have qualified teachers of the visually impaired (QTVIs), trainee QTVIs and a qualified teacher of children with multi-sensory impairment (QTMSI). We also have teachers with qualifications and extensive experience in teaching children with special educational needs. Teaching staff, therapists and social care professionals all work together so every child’s learning is maximised.

Therapies and health support

Our in-house therapists provide support in the classroom and in dedicated sessions with individuals. These include:

speech and language therapists
physiotherapists
occupational therapist
habilitation specialist (mobility and orientation training)
music therapist
rebound therapist
on-site paediatric community nurse.

Multi-sensory facilities

We use a wide range of sensory resources and environments to create a stimulating learning experience for our pupils. These include:

A wide range of new Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technology including Eyegaze
sensory garden and adapted playground with interactive fountain
hydrotherapy pool
soft play room
sensory theatre
library including tactile books
indoor and outdoor trampoline
dark areas in every classroom for vision stimulation
small light rooms in each class.

School Prospectus

For more information about our education and curriculum download our prospectus.

Contact us

Are you interested in a place for your child? Book your visit today!

We welcome visits and enquiries from parents, carers, children, other family members and professionals.

Phone us on 01923 82 25 38
Email us at [email protected]