SEND Spotlight: Priestley Smith Special School
Priestley Smtih Specialist School
For blind and vision impaired children aged 2 to 19 years
Priestley Smith Specialist School is a dedicated educational setting in Birmingham, providing specialist support and tailored learning for children and young people aged 2–19, from nursery through to sixth form whose primary need is a vision impairment. The school also supports some students with additional learning, social, emotional and medical needs, in addition to their VI, making it a centre of excellence for inclusive specialist education.
Priestley Smith School and Facilities
The school’s facilities and staff are purpose-built and highly experienced, including qualified teachers of the vision impaired, Braille specialists, instructors and multi-disciplinary support teams, ensuring that each pupil’s educational journey is personalised and fully accessible.
Priestley Smith’s work blends specialist education, pastoral care and life skills development:
- Tailored curriculum: The school’s curriculum combines broad academic learning with specialist approaches adapted for vision impairment, promoting confidence, independence and a love of learning.
- Preparation for adulthood: Through targeted programmes and guidance, pupils are equipped with practical skills, confidence and self-belief to transition successfully into adult life and future employment.
- Specialist outreach: Priestley Smith hosts outreach services, offering mobility and independence support, reprographics and VI technical expertise both within the school and in partnership with other schools and families.
- Pastoral and parent support: The school places strong emphasis on wellbeing and community, providing pastoral care, information and guidance for families to support pupils’ emotional and holistic development.
Supporting Pupils, Staff, and Parent Carers
Priestley Smith supports pupils to make strong progress academically and personally. The school meets the diverse needs of its learners through specialist teaching, adaptive resources like Braille and assistive technology, and a curriculum designed around individual strengths and goals.
By creating trusting relationships between pupils, staff and parent carers, Priestley Smith ensures that every pupil’s journey is both supported and empowering, shaping confident, capable young adults ready for life beyond school.
A summary of just some of the comments given about the positive experience of children attending the school includes: “Priestley Specialist School is a wonderful, warm and supportive environment where children are truly able to thrive. The staff are phenomenal, consistent and deeply caring, and the school feels like a family. As parents, we are incredibly grateful for the support our children receive and proud to be part of the Priestley community.”
To find out more, visit their website!