Ages 
Royal Blind school does so many things really well - it is a kind and caring environment with staff keen to nurture the children and young people in their care and provide them with first rate facilities and individual attention. But they are not quite so organised as other schools on the fine details. This is a school with its eyes firmly fixed on the big picture.
If children are lucky enough to get a place here, they will get individualised programmes to help with habilitation, mental health, life skills and a curriculum tailored to their needs and talents. Some will go on to independent living, higher education and rewarding careers. Sadly, some will be disappointed by life after Royal Blind if they are returning to a local authority offer without adequate support.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 29 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Non-denom
- Fees
- Usually or always funded by the LA
- Local authority
- The City of Edinburgh Council
- SEN provision
- · MSI · VI
Headteacher
Executive Principal
Elaine Brackenridge
Since 2013, Elaine Brackenridge, formerly a primary mainstream teacher. Diploma in SEN, specialising in visual impairment. Previously depute head for four years, she is warm, friendly and full of enthusiasm but also pragmatic. Says 'The road to
Entrance
Word-of-mouth is the main way that most students hear about the school and what it can offer. Parents phone and organise an advisory visit. Royal Blind will tell parents honestly if it feels that local authority provided support really meets their
- Open days
- Contact the school for details
Exit
'The school is looking for a positive sustained destination,' says Brackenridge. Staff aim to prepare pupils to stay the course at university, hold down a job, build a career.
Some go on to modern apprenticeships and one boy with Down’s Syndrome,
Latest results
We do not publish results data for special schools. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
All pupils are visually impaired but also have additional disabilities. Some have Ushers Syndrome and others have complex needs and use wheelchairs. The children follow individualised education programmes based on the Curriculum for Excellence and
Arts & extracurricular
The school has funding from several charities including a recent award from The People’s Lottery to develop of a kitchen garden, a sensory play area and an active play area.
Art tends towards the tactile as you might expect with mask making and
Sport
The facilities are superb with all the equipment children could need – a gym, a log cabin, a soft play area, and a climbing wall.
Boarders
There are three residential houses, two of which are able to offer 52 week provision. Some of those in 52 week houses have high level health needs. One child for example has multiple seizures most days and so requires full-time nursing care and this
Ethos & heritage
From the moment you turn into the car park it feels as if you are entering a friendly village with clusters of attractive low rise buildings and well kept grounds. The campus is a new build, bright, spacious, calm and orderly. There is a warm welcome
Therapy & staffing
Staff are stayers. Depute Everett and a language teacher are seen as newbies with two and four years in post respectively. The school rewards long service and a member of staff completing 20 years will get £200 worth of vouchers.
The school cherry
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Discipline is not a problem but many young people lack confidence and suffer from anxiety. This is partly because they have experienced social isolation, bullying and frustration in previous schools. Many have been sitting on the side in mainstream
Pupils & parents
High achieving students going to university are good ambassadors for the quality of teaching at the school and for the notion of specialist schools and centres of excellence. Increasingly parents are concerned about habilitation and worry about how
Money matters
- Fee information
- Usually or always funded by the LA
The last word
Royal Blind school does so many things really well - it is a kind and caring environment with staff keen to nurture the children and young people in their care and provide them with first rate facilities and individual attention. But they are not
