Pent Valley is a Lead School for Visual Impairment (VI), taking a lead in this area of special educational need (SEN). A Lead School is responsible for developing special expertise to support children within our own school and in other schools in the area. The V. I. Unit is a support unit for students with a visual impairment at any level…

Within the school there is a team of specialised staff whom work closely together, both with the teaching staff and student alike, to enable the student to have full access to the curriculum in their own medium, whether it is the using of a laptop or the need for Braille. All staff within the unit are qualified brailliest’s. Perhaps a student may need work with enlarged print or need the use of a low visual aid...help within the classroom during practical lessons... all these requirements would be met on a very personalized level.

Throughout the student’s time at the college they will be given support along side work that has been adapted, differentiated, modified according to their specific requirement. Exams are also taken into consideration and can be presented in many different forms, again personalised to meet the students need.

Equipment within the unit used:

* Laptops with magnilink cameras.
* Perkins Brailler
* Voice-note
* Magnifiers
* Overlays
* Computers
* A range of high-coloured or tactile equipment such as pens, paper, rulers, protractors, etc.

Exercise books and text books again are individually made according to the need of the student.

Support from outside agencies: for help with day to day living when dealing with the blind or partially sighted.
Kent Association for the Blind
Royal National Institute for the Blind
National Blind Children’s Society
Kroner House (NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust)
Organisations like this can offer a range of advice and support, from equipment needed in aiding independence on a daily basis to outdoor mobility training.

Within the school there is an established network of people who together under one umbrella give support both in academic area’s and pastoral care.

In house Counselling for student and parents alike
Advice from specialised V.I. staff
Mentoring 1:1

Parent Support

Virtual Support

Teacher Support

Child Centred Support