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Royal School for the Blind, Liverpool

We are an outstanding, non-profit, non-maintained day and residential special school. We educate and care for pupils with special, visual, sensory, and complex needs aged 2-19.  We offer day, nursery (including free places), respite and residential places. We also offer an after school club, parental support, parent and toddler group, and intervention support for our pupils. We have a strong multi-disciplinary team including occupational therapy, habilitation, physio, nursing, speech and language, music therapy and other specialisms. All of our staff are highly trained including qualified teachers of the visually impaired, MSI teacher, habilitation and other specialisms. Our facilities, adapted environment and grounds are second to none. If you feel we can meet your child’s needs please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Capacity: 90 in school with residential and respite provision in our 10 bedroom house.

Our Core Values:
At the Royal School for the Blind (RSB) you will find an enthusiastic and supportive team who provide an all-inclusive package for every child and young person within our care. The innovative and forward thinking staff are able to continuously build a fun and happy environment, which safeguards the welfare and well-being of all within our school. Our consistent approach and highly trained staff, are able to build long lasting, trusting relationships with our pupils, through an ethos of respect and dignity.

As an outstanding school (Ofsted Education 2021) we pride ourselves in taking the time to get to know what is best for each individual in our care, supporting them right through from an ‘All about me’ when they first start in school, through managed and planned transitions to support each and every step of their journey. The ‘home away from home’ in our residential setting allows for the ‘RSB Family’ to continue this trusting relationship after school is finished, continuing the exciting opportunities in a safe and caring home.

Our Core Purpose:
We are here to support and meet the needs of children and young people who live locally, regionally and nationally with a visual impairment, sensory and other additional needs. As a school, we do not just focus on education, the RSB team support the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of all of our pupils in a ‘team around the child’ (TAC) approach. We are flexible and accept change and think about how best to adapt our strategies and resources for each and every child in our care. We have a ‘whole child’ attitude.

Our team work approach, allows for quick and reliable communication across school. We have a total communication approach where staff listen and respond to children facilitating their expression to enable a safe and happy environment. Communication is school wide and includes weekly TAC meetings, a wide range of training programmes and multi-agency involvement at all stages. This allows us to develop and promote the use of pupils’ functional vision and meet other needs through shared information and therefore allow them to make the best possible progress during their time at RSB.

Welcome to Teddy’s!

Teddy’s Nursery is inclusive, catering for children from 2-4 years. We specialise in a spectrum of sensory impairments including Visual and Profound and Multiple Disabilities. The class follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Early Years at The Royal School for the Blind (Teddy’s Nursery)

At RSB (Teddy’s) we recognise that no two students are alike. Our Early Years Department is committed to developing positive learning environments for each individual child according to their needs and abilities. We maintain a high staff-to-student ratio, with some children in one-on-one environments and others in small groups, depending on children’s optimal learning environments. Our ‘core values, purpose’ and ‘envisioned future’ is a collaboration and partnership between staff, parents, multi agencies, the children’s council, governors and trustees.

 

We have our own specialised team of staff offering extra support to our children and we enable the universal offer, including Speech and Language, Physiotherapy, Mobility and habilitation services. Our aim is to ensure that our children meet their full potential and overcome their barriers to learning.

We Aim:

  • To ensure that the safety and happiness of each child is of the greatest importance.
  • To meet the educational, physical, social, and spiritual needs of children and young people locally/ regionally/ nationally who live with multiple disabilities and visual impairment.
  • To provide a safe, child-centered and fun, learning environment appropriate to each individual child.
  • To ensure an excellent staff to child ratio with all relevant multi-sensory resources.
  • To encourage children to further, explore and understand their world and enable them to communicate their responses.
  • To identify every child’s needs and encourage all to reach their full potential and develop independence skills for life.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Susie Bradley
Contact Position
Head of School's PA
Telephone
E-mail
susie.bradley@rsblind.co.uk
Website
School website

Where to go

Name
Royal School for the Blind, Liverpool
Address
Church Road North
Wavertree
Liverpool
Merseyside
Postcode
L15 6TQ

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Education= Mon-Thurs from 8.45am to 3.45pm, Fri from 8.45am to 1.15pm. 38 week residential covering Monday through to Friday.
Session Information
School: Mon- Thur = times between 8.45am - 3.45pm; Friday 8.45am - 1.15pm
Nursery: Mon- Thur = 8.30am-4pm

Other Details

Availability

Referral Details

Please feel free to come and visit, we would love to show you our school. We can support parents and pupils to make an informed choice.

Other notes

visual needs
sensory needs
complex needs

Local Offer

Description

The following questions have been developed by and may be of particular interest to children and young people

1.How will the school /college know if I need extra help?

Communication is the key between pupils, staff and parents

School will undertake close links with your parents or carers to see how we can provide the best help you may need in order to make the most of the learning opportunities we have to offer you.

We will listen to you and communicate with you in whatever format is best for you – verbal, on body signs, objects of reference.

Each pupil has learning targets and independent living skills targets and if you are struggling with any we will look at why this might be and see if we can give you more help or set better learning targets for you.

 

2. What should I do if I think I need extra help?

Speak/communicate in whatever way is best for you with any member of staff.

We have  teachers, teaching assistants, residential care workers, speech therapist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist, nursing staff, habiliatation and other professionals who work together to provide everything that you need.

3. If I have difficulty taking part in school/college activities what different arrangements can be made for me?

We would want to know why you aren’t included.

It is very unusual for a pupil not to be able to take part in all activities. Staffing levels are in place to help each pupil have full access and we believe we have all the resources in place to enable you to play a full part in school life

Sometimes this means putting an extra person there to help.

If at anytime a pupil is not able to join a particular activity – maybe because they are not feeling well, they would be looked after by familiar staff and an appropriate alternative activity offered

4. How will I participate in planning my targets?

Your targets are set by staff who get to know you really well and are reviewed at least three times throughout the year. Towards the end of each term we have a good idea about what you might think about these and we can adapt them if you wish.

There is an opportunity on your annual review form for you to let us know what you enjoy doing at school and what are your favourite people and activities.

5. How does the school/college know how well I’m doing?

By the progress you make and how happy and independent you are!

We are always looking to tell you how well you are doing in school. Each year, your teacher and everyone else involved in your learning, will write a detailed report to those people interested in your achievements, most importantly, your parents.

As a school community, we celebrate achievement, however small, through our assemblies , special mentions certificates, and residential star achievements.

As we review your targets each term, we build up a Record of Achievement showing what you have achieved and photographs or other evidence to achieve it. This gives us a clear idea of the progress you are making and where we, as a school, might need to work a little harder to support you.

6. Who will help me to be more independent in school?

All the staff at school will be helping you achieve this – your classroom staff, residential key worker, physio staff, speech therapist, mobility staff and nursing staff. We will all be helping you understand your world and achieve to the best of your ability. Everything we do at school is aimed at developing your skills so that, step by step, you can do more and more things by yourself. We promise to provide challenging goals, give you time to achieve them, and offer you the best support you need.

You will be able to use the specialist equipment we have here to help you be as independent as possible.

7. Who will help me to be more independent in my community?

Sometimes you will need to learn outside in the local community. Often this means going out with your class or residential  group to explore facilities, sports facilities, to concerts or places useful for activities identified in your learning targets. We also have habilitation officer who will help you on your own, or with a friend, make the most of activities in the local community that have been identified as being appropriate for you, or that you have expressed an interest in. It may  be you need to practice skills you use in school in a different environment to challenge you as you develop your independence skills.

8. How will my parents/carers be supported to encourage me to be more independent?

School always encourages parents or carers to support you in your learning and be part of the school community. Each day, anyone who works with you will make a short note of important things your parents need to know, in your home/school book. Your learning targets are always included in your Annual Review meeting. At anytime your parents or carers can phone school or call in if they need to chat about any aspect of your leaning or school life.

We will all work to help you be as happy and as independent as possible.

9. Who should I speak to if I’m worried about something?

School staff and residential staff if you stay overnight with us, will get to know you very well. If something is bothering you we will be able to tell in lots of different ways, even if you can’t tell us, as you will usually look or behave a little out of sorts. Your class/residential staff will begin to reassure you immediately and work hard to resolve anything you may be worried about. Some of your friends in school may also be on the School Council. They will also help if there is something bothering you.

If you wish to speak to someone out of school then you can speak to LADO, Childline, or our school’s designated person. We have names and contact numbers in many formats in the Head of Care’s office.

10. How do school/college staff get extra help from other experts?

We want to help you achieve the very best, that is why we have a wide range of experts working on site to support you. We have a medical room and nursing staff, a physiotherapy department with physiotherapists and occupational therapists. We have a speech  therapy department and also a mobility department. Sometimes you will work with these as part of your learning or we may ask their advice if you need it.

We will all work closely like a giant jigsaw for your happiness and well being.

11. What help is there to get me ready to start college?

As you grow through each stage of school life, we like to work with you to plan your next opportunities. Planning for life after school is no exception. At the moment we begin this a few years before you would be due to start college through a special transition process. Because each of our pupils is unique, each Transition will be too. We will make sure everyone involved with you at home, in school and at the College or placement you plan to move to, put together the smoothest of transitions from school. We are working hard to provide different opportunities for you to extend your learning beyond 19 at the Royal School for the Blind if you so wish, so that you can make the most of the next opportunities in life.

In residential life you may also have small jobs to such as putting washing away, setting table, washing dishes, which will all help you prepare for adult life.

12.What help is there to get me ready to start work?

Preparing for work underpins much of the work you will do in school. You will explore the world of work, and take part in mini-enterprise schemes. Supported work placements in school are possible where you could “Shadow” someone working in school. We also encourage opportunities to undertake supported work placements in the local community. Undertaking a role as part of our school community also prepares you for a role in the wider world.

You will be out and about exploring the local community with class and residential staff which will help you socially to become part of the wider community

Contact Name
Victoria Dwyer
Contact Telephone
0151 733 1012
Contact Email
vicki.dwyer@rsblind.co.uk
Local Offer Age Bands
Young Adults (16 to 25)
Primary (5 to 11)
Secondary (11 to 16)
Early Years (0 to 5)
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