What Support is Available in Primary Schools?

Being at primary school is an exciting time, but sometimes it can also feel a little tricky. This guide is here to help you understand the kind of support you can get at school and to remind you that you’re not on your own.

Everyone learns in different ways, and it’s okay to need extra help. Adults at school are there to make sure you can learn, play, and join in just like everyone else. This guide will explain who can help you, what support might look like, and how you can have a say in the things that matter to you.

You will find out about the special ways schools plan support, the people who work together to help you, and the tools and ideas that can make school easier and more enjoyable. Most importantly, this guide is here to remind you that your voice matters, you have strengths, and you deserve support that works for you.

Your Guide to Getting the Right Help at School

If you are blind or partially sighted, your school can help you learn, play, and feel confident every day.

The Graduated Approach: A way to help you

Sometimes children need extra help at school and that is okay. Your teachers use something called the Graduated Approach or Ordinarily Available to make sure you get the right support. It’s like a helpful cycle with four steps:

Step 1: Assess – Finding Out What You Need

Grown-ups will work together to understand what kind of help you need. They’ll look at:

• How you talk and listen
• How you learn and think
• How you feel and behave
• How your body works including your sight
• How you do everyday things

They’ll talk to:

• You (because your voice matters!)
• Your parents or carers
• Your teachers
• Maybe other experts like a QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment) or a habilitation specialist

They’ll also check how you’re doing in class and the progress you are making.

Step 2: Plan – Making a Support Plan Just for You

Once everyone understands what you need, they will make a plan to help you. It will include:

• What you find tricky
• What goals you are working towards
• What help you will get (like special tools or extra support)

Step 3: Do – Putting the Plan into Action

Your teacher and other adults will use the plan to help you every day in class. They will make sure you get the support you need.

 Step 4: Review – Checking How Things Are Going

After a while, everyone will meet again to talk about:

• How much progress you have made
• How you feel about the help
• What your parents and teachers think
• Any new ideas or changes

Then they will decide what to do next—keep going, change the plan, or try something new.

What If Things Still Feel Hard?

If things are still tricky after a few cycles, your school might:

• Ask a specialist to help
• Give you more support
• Ask for a special plan called an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Support in School 

The support you receive in school will depend on what you need and what recommendations are made for you. With the right support, you should be able to make good progress in your learning and access all areas of school life.

Learning Your Way

You might use:

• Braille, large print, or audio versions of books
• Special equipment like magnifiers, talking devices, or tablets. We have lots of ideas on our Technology webpages to help you with this.
• Support from adults who help you use these tools

Getting Around and Joining In

• You’ll learn how to move safely around school.
• You might use a white cane or get help from a grown-up.
• You’ll be included in PE, art, music, and playtime with adaptations to make sure you can join in.

If you would like to find out more, we have a guide all about Top Tips at Primary School.

Adults There to Support You in School

There are lots of adults at school who are there to help you. Each one does a different job and some you might see more than others. Below we have listed some of the adults you might meet but if you or a grown up would like further information you can read our guide The Professionals There to Support You at School.

Who Is A QTVI And How Do They Help? 

QTVI stands for Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment. That’s a special teacher who knows lots about helping children who are blind or partially sighted.

They don’t teach a whole class like your class teacher. Instead, they work with you, your teachers, and your family to make sure you can learn in the best way for you.

What Does A QTVI Do?

Here are some of the things a QTVI might do:

• Understand your vision needs. They learn about your eyes and what you find tricky.
• Make learning easier. They help your teachers use things like large print, braille, magnifiers, or special technology.
• Teach you helpful skills like using screen readers, magnifiers, or moving around safely.
• Speak up for you. They help adults understand what you need.
• Work with your family so everyone can support you together.
• Help your teachers by giving them tips and training.

Your QTVI might:

• Visit you at school
• Check how you’re doing in lessons
• Help you learn special skills like braille or touch typing
• Make sure your classroom works well for you
• Help you feel confident and independent

Top tip! You can talk to your QTVI about things that you are finding tricky, how you feel about school and any worries you might have.

Other people who help you at school

• Your class teacher. They will help to make lessons clear and accessible for you.
• The Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo). They will speak to everyone who helps you and you and your parents/ carers to make sure that your support is working for you.
• Teaching Assistants. They might work with you one-on-one or in small groups.
• Your friends. They’ll include you in games and activities and learn how to be great teammates.
• A Habilitation Specialist may visit you in school to help you plan routes and help to make sure you can be as independent as possible.

Your Voice Matters

You’ll be encouraged to:

• Share how you feel
• Say what helps you best
• Be part of decisions about your learning

Top tip! You are the expert on your own sight, and it’s okay to tell grown‑ups what helps you. If something is too hard to see or doesn’t feel right, try saying: “I need this in bigger print,” or “Can you explain that again, please?” Teachers want to help, but they might not always know what you need unless you tell them. Speaking up helps others to help you.

What Next?

If you are a primary aged student who is blind or partially sighted, you may like to read this guide and our Top Tips for Primary School with an adult and chat through some of the suggestions. If there is anything that you are not sure about, they can help you find more information or support through our website or by contacting our Education Information Advice and Guidance Service.

If you are a parent or guardian of a primary school aged student who is blind or partially sighted, you might find our Support in Education resources helpful too.