In this Section:
- Learning Support and SEND
- Specialist Centre for the Visually Impaired
- Supporting Young Carers
- Pastoral Support
- House System
- Student Support & Wellbeing
- Personal Development at Oxted School
- Careers Statement – Oxted School
- Supporting Looked After and Post-Looked After Children
- Safeguarding, Prevent & E-Safety
- Support for Parents
Specialist Centre for the Visually Impaired
The Specialist Centre for the Visually Impaired at Oxted School has supported blind and visually impaired students since 1988 and is one of five such bases in Surrey. With capacity for 18 students, the Centre provides places for those with an EHCP identifying vision as the primary need, considering highest need, location and available spaces. Students join mainstream lessons and access tailored withdrawal sessions for skills such as mobility, life skills, Braille, ICT support and touch typing. Learning materials are adapted to individual requirements.
We promote full inclusion, with students taking part in productions, choir tours, overseas trips, Year 8 camp and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. Many achieve Duke of Edinburgh awards, compete in VI sports including cricket for Surrey and Riding for the Disabled nationals, and participate in regular sailing lessons working towards RYA Gold.
PSSS monitoring reports highlight the Centre’s strong focus on developing independence and preparing students for success beyond school, praising the commitment of the Head of Centre and specialist TA team. The Centre actively seeks opportunities for students, including talks from organisations such as Blind in Business and RSBC, touch tours at London theatres, VI sports events, coding workshops with Microsoft and partnerships with Sight for Surrey to develop mobility and life skills. Many students progress to sixth form, university and local colleges, and regularly take part in wider VI community activities.
For further information, please contact Mrs S Keay, Head of Centre.
‘The provision for visually impaired pupils is exceptional’ — Ofsted, February 2022