INREACH SESSIONS

Every term at GBPS we run a VIP Inreach session for children with Vision Impairment (VI) and their families. This is an opportunity for preschool and primary age children with visual impairment (VI) to meet, build up their confidence and complete activities specifically  modified for them. Please call 01256 460532 or email adminoffice@greatbinfileds.hants.sch.uk if you would like to come along for some fun as well as network with other people linked with vision impairment.

Alongside our high-quality mainstream provision, Great Binfields is a specialist resource base for children with Vision Impairment (VI). The provision can accommodate up to 10 children in school and we also provide outreach support for primary school children across the north of the county. Well established, our resource provision aims to support children with VI so that they can be included within mainstream education in a supportive environment. The children's needs are met by staff who understand their difficulties and are able to provide individual programmes of learning, such as Braille Literacy, music therapy and concentrated learning to support their development.

Specialist Provision

We provide a wealth of IT and other resources in order to support our VI pupils. All VI pupils have access to their own personalised iPad, which provides greater opportunity for independence and peer group working. All pupils also have access to a laptop and, for children who are registered as blind, individual Perkins Braillers and cutting-edge Braille Note Touch systems are also provided. Mrs Fox manages a team of VI Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) who support teachers to prepare and provide resources for our vision impaired children. We are very lucky to be able to provide a sensory curriculum for the children in "The Orchard".  This is a sensory room which has a variety of stimulating resources including bubble tubes, UV lights, soft play, projectors and tactile resources to name a few!

Inclusive Approach

The VI resource provision enhances every aspect of school life with our mainstream provision enriched as a result. We regularly provide VI awareness training to the staff and pupils, planned jointly with the Local Authority and local charities. This training gives all of our pupils some experience of the barriers people with  a vision impairment face and helps them to understand how they can support our VI children. The sessions also promote health education by encouraging the children to look after their eyes through a healthy life style and regular eye tests.

Parental Support

While most of our VI children are brought to school by taxi, we make regular contact with all the parents of the children in the resource base through a home-school diary and via email. It is vital that parents feel that they are part of their child’s education. We work hard to include parents in the life of the school wherever possible and support them to attend parents’ evenings, workshops and special events. They are welcome to visit the school at other times and are also invited to discuss their child’s progress with Mrs Fox and the class teacher once per term.

VIP Club and In-reach

Children with vision impairment need additional support to develop appropriate social and emotional skills. In support of this, each week we run a VIP club where all the children with VI in school can meet and undertake shared learning activities. Once a term, VIP club is opened up to VI children across North Hampshire. These sessions provide a great opportunity for parents to meet and make new contacts.

Community Links

Our VI Resource Provision continually seeks to link with the local community for the benefit of our children. The school works with various charities including Guide Dogs for the Blind, RNIB, Sightsavers and Open Sight and Southampton Football Club.

Developments

Our Resource Provision is becoming increasingly well-known and highly regarded by parents and professionals. We feel we can offer a high level of support that enables pupils with VI to be fully included in the life of the school and to make excellent progress with their learning and development.

Some of our pupils across the school choose to sign up for and attend a lunchtime Braille club where they learn the alphabet, use the Perkin's Brailler and play Braille Games.

VIP Club

VIP Club takes place every Friday and we take part in lots of activities which help us to develop a variety of different skills including valuable life skills. It also allows us to meet and socialise with our friends and work/play with other organisations who deliver programmes to support children with VI and their families.