Teacher

Darnley Primary School Visual Impairment Unit was opened in 1998.

Children from Glasgow and the surrounding area attend the unit.

The school and unit have a policy of inclusion. Pupils with a visual impairment are regarded as valued members of the school community and are entitled to access all areas of the curriculum. Visually impaired pupils are educated within their mainstream class. They are supported by teachers and/or pupil support assistants (SEN).

We recognise that some pupils have individual needs and will require additional help in some curricular areas. We aim to meet these needs within a supportive and inclusive setting.

Staff from the school and unit work collaboratively to ensure that all areas of the curriculum are planned and presented in such a way that will allow blind and partially sighted pupils equality of educational opportunity.

Pupils in Darnley Primary School take part in visual impairment awareness raising activities as part of the school PHC programme. This helps them develop a better understanding of visual impairment. They then show a good understanding of visual impairment and display a considerate attitude towards visually impaired pupils. Mainstream teachers undertake mobility education activities which raise their awareness of the implications of visual impairment for the pupils in their class. 


Mission Statement

We aim to provide a secure, stimulating and inclusive educational environment for pupils. In partnership with Darnley Primary School, we aim to give all pupils equal opportunity, ensuring that they are confident, motivated and achieving their full potential. We ensure that they have the opportunity to work in a safe, stimulating environment where everyone’s talents and achievements are recognised and celebrated.

We aim to create a positive ethos of partnership between parents and school. 


The Aims of Darnley Primary Visual Impairment Unit

Achievement and Attainment
• To provide the highest quality of teaching and learning to enable children to achieve their full potential and become motivated, ambitious and confident learners
• to reduce inequality and raise attainment and achievement

Framework for Learning
• To meet the needs of individual pupils within a supportive and inclusive setting through flexibility in our timetables
• To ensure that staff have the opportunity for professional development which will enable them to support our pupils in a purposeful and progressive way which demonstrates their knowledge of current educational best practice
• To involve staff, parents and pupils in self-evaluation which will help us identify areas for improvement

Inclusion and Equality
• to provide a secure, stimulating and inclusive educational environment where pupils can be involved in their own learning and have a “can do” attitude
• to create a positive ethos of partnership between parents, school and local community.
• to actively promote the physical, educational and social inclusion of our pupils within the mainstream school and local community.

Values and Citizenship
• To create a community where pupils, staff and all those involved with our pupils work together to enable children to become active and responsible citizens