Crofton Academy
VI Resource Base
Welcome
Crofton Academy is proud to be home to the Resource Base for Visually Impaired Children, a specialist provision commissioned by Wakefield Council.
Our Resource Base supports pupils with visual impairments to access the curriculum, participate fully in academy life, and achieve their full potential.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every pupil is valued, supported and empowered to succeed. Through specialist teaching, tailored support and opportunities for personal development, we help our pupils build the educational, social and emotional skills they need to become confident, independent young people who are well prepared for adulthood and their future aspirations.
Our Ethos
To ensure every visually impaired child reaches their maximum social and academic potential.
Our Philosophy
We recognise and celebrate the potential of every visually impaired child. We are committed to providing a child-centred approach that supports individual development, promotes independence and inspires lifelong learning.
Our Specialist Team
The Resource Base at Crofton Academy forms part of Wakefield's Service for Visually Impaired Children. Our team consists of highly qualified and experienced professionals who specialise in supporting children and young people with visual impairments.
Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVIs)
Our teachers have undertaken extensive specialist training in the educational needs of children with visual or multi-sensory impairments. They work closely with pupils, families and academy staff to ensure that every learner can access an appropriate and equitable education.
Specialist Learning Support Officers and Assistants
Our specialist support staff are experienced in working with visually impaired children and are trained in braille and accessible learning practices. Their role includes:
- Modifying and adapting learning materials
- Supporting access to lessons and assessments
- Developing pupils' independence skills
- Providing support within lessons when required
Support may be delivered directly alongside a pupil or through a carefully planned "stepped-back" approach that encourages increasing independence, depending on the needs of the individual pupil and the nature of the lesson.
Habilitation Specialists
Our qualified Habilitation Specialists and Assistants provide training in:
- Orientation and mobility skills
- Long cane techniques
- Road and travel safety
- Using public transport
- Independent living skills
These programmes help pupils develop confidence, independence and practical life skills. The Resource Base also includes an adapted kitchen where pupils can learn to prepare meals and snacks as part of their independent living programme.
About the Resource Base
The Resource Base is led by a qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired and supported by a dedicated team of specialist staff.
Our aim is to enable pupils with visual impairments to learn alongside their sighted peers wherever possible. Students participate in mainstream lessons with appropriate adaptations, specialist resources and targeted support. Withdrawal from mainstream lessons takes place only when specialist teaching is required.
The Resource Base supports pupils with the most complex visual needs, and all students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Our Provision Includes:
- Access to all mainstream lessons with modified or reformatted learning materials
- Specialist equipment and assistive technology
- Braille tuition where required
- Low vision aid training
- Habilitation and mobility programmes
- Pre-teaching and post-teaching interventions
- Coursework and homework support
- Independence and life skills development
- Specialist assessment and advice
Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI)
At Crofton Academy, we embrace the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI) and embed its principles throughout our specialist provision.
Developed by leading organisations within the vision impairment sector, including RNIB, Guide Dogs, VIEW and the Thomas Pocklington Trust, the framework identifies the specialist skills visually impaired children need to develop to access education fully and live as independently as possible.
The CFVI focuses on eleven key areas:
- Facilitating an Inclusive World
- Sensory Development
- Communication
- Literacy
- Habilitation: Orientation and Mobility
- Habilitation: Independent Living Skills
- Accessing Information
- Technology
- Health, Social, Emotional, Mental and Physical Wellbeing
- Social, Sports and Leisure
- Preparing for Adulthood
Partnership Working
We work collaboratively with academy staff, families and a range of external professionals to ensure each young person's needs are fully met. These may include:
- Optometrists
- Ophthalmologists
- Low Vision Services
- Guide Dogs UK
- RNIB
- Social Care Services
- Educational Psychologists
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
This joined-up approach ensures that pupils receive comprehensive support both in school and beyond.
Contact Us
For further information about the Resource Base for Visually Impaired Children, please contact:
Sam Cariss
Team Lead and Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired
VI Resource Base
Crofton Academy
High Street
Crofton
Wakefield
WF4 1NF
For general enquiries, please contact the Academy office and ask for the VI Resource Base team.
Where to next?
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Curriculum
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Extra Curricular Clubs
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Rewards and Recognition
How to reach us
Castleford Trust