What Support is Available at Secondary School?

Being at Secondary school is exciting and knowing what support is available to you can make a huge difference. This guide will help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of the support offered, allowing you to enjoy your time in school with confidence! 

Support in School 

Classroom Support

As a blind or partially sighted student, your teachers will make sure that your learning materials are accessible. If you need changes to any resources, it is the role of staff members to do this before the lesson starts so they can prepare everything you need in good time – allowing you to get on with your learning! Examples might include: 

• Change and make your learning materials bigger e.g.  A4 paper using your favourite style and size of print, getting rid of anything that isn’t needed like extra pictures 

• Copies of presentations emailed to you or paper before the lesson 

• 3D models or tactile diagrams to support your learning 

This support is often written up in a document, called a Support Plan, so it can be shared with teachers and anyone else who supports you. Make sure you discuss your support plans with those who help you. It’s important that your voice is heard, so you may want to ask if you can add your ideas to any documents or meetings about your support. We also have a guide which you or your parent/carer can read for more information.  

Your SEND Team

Every secondary school has a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) team ready to help students who need extra support. This team is led by a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). Whether you need help with PE, science experiments, or exam arrangements, your SEND team is here for you, so don’t hesitate to contact them. 

The SEND team can help you by providing you with: 

• A quiet space to work – e.g. alone, with your Teaching Assistant (TA) or Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment (QTVI) 

• Extra time for learning before and after lessons – this could be a task that was challenging to understand, and you need a second chance to look at it. Or it may be something you need to look at before the next lesson 

• Adult support to talk about aspects of school life that is challenging – whether navigating friendships or access to practical lessons  

• Information about your access arrangements for exams – what to expect and time to practice 

Environments and Accessibility 

Your school should have clear signs and safe paths to help you move around independently. Regular checks by a QTVI or a Habilitation specialist can identify any changes needed to keep you safe. Sometimes, checks, known as “audits”, are done in advance before moving from primary to secondary school. If there is a particular route you find difficult, be sure to talk to your QTVI and Habilitation specialist about this. They can ensure that you have the necessary skills; setting you up for success with understanding how to get around school 

Top Tip! 

A modified map of the school and an adapted timetable can be useful in your first few weeks. Don’t forget to ask your SENCo, QTVI, or Habilitation specialist for a copy! 

Equipment and Resources 

Assistive technology can be a game changer for your learning! Tools like magnifiers or screen readers (like JAWS or ZoomText) can help. Talk to your QTVI and school team to find out what works best for you. They can help you practice in and outside of lessons if you need it. Check out our Technology in Education webpages for all things access tech. 

Top Tip!

Sometimes, you may need to explain what works best for you, and that’s perfectly okay. Being open about what can help you is important. This is part of developing self-advocacy skills, which help you communicate effectively with your teachers and classmates. For further information about how to develop your self-advocacy skills, read our blog by Student Voice, Aleks, who talks all about self-advocacy skills and how they link to your health.

What Other Professionals are Available to Support You at School? 

QTVIs are professionals who specialise in helping students like you. If you have a QTVI they will support your learning in school and provide advice to your teachers about how to make learning more accessible. 

Habilitation specialists often work closely with QTVIs. They can help you in building skills to get around different places safely. As well as learn important independent living skills (ILS). These are skills that will help you with all sorts of day-to-day activities. 

Examples include: 

• Personal care – managing zips or clothing 

• Meal preparation – how to plan, shop for and prepare meals 

• Budgeting and finance – managing money including budgeting for expenses or savings 

• Household management – washing and ironing clothes or organising living spaces  

• Transport and time management – reading bus timetables to make sure you are on time 

Extracurricular Activities and Making Friends 

Secondary school is not just about studying; it’s also about making friendsand trying new things too.  Joining extracurricular activities can be a great way to make friends and mix with other people. If you feel you need anything extra to help you join in, don’t hesitate to ask. Your QTVI and Habilitation specialist can offer suggestions. We have lots of top tips for secondary school, for you to explore. 

Know Where to Get Support 

We are here to help you too! Along with family, friends, and teachers, various organisations are available to assist you throughout your secondary education.  

If you have any questions about accessing your Secondary education, please reach out to our Education Information Advice and Guidance Service.We can also signpost you to other teams or organisations who can offer you the type of support you are looking for, so feel free to reach out to us. With the right support, you can achieve your full potential!  

Other Opportunities to Explore  

• Interested in getting volunteering for Thomas Pocklington Trust? We have young people who work with us to ensure student voices are heard and you may want to join them!  

• You may wish to contact LOOK UK to find a mentor; someone who you can chat to about your vision impairment, your goals and what you may want to achieve.  

• You may be thinking about your future and wish to chat to a specialist from RSBC who can help you plan. 

• If you are looking for inspiration for experiences and youth activities to engage in outside of school with like-minded people, then you might be interested in VICTA.