We support your child from birth to when they leave education. What your child learns in nursery is very different to what they will do in secondary school so our support also changes.
Your child be visited by a Qualified Teacher of Visual Impairment (QTVI*) and may be visited by other members of the team. Find out more about the team and how to contact them below.
I lead the team and I am a QTVI. I visit all new referrals and run our preschool group, called Bright Lights. I also am part of the multi-disciplinary team at the Great North Children’s Hospital for children with complex visual needs.
Favourite part of my job is…visiting a young person who I have known since they were little and how they have grown up.
Email me: Kathryn.fuller@newcastle.gov.uk
I visit your child in their nursery or school. I assess your child’s vision and sometimes observe them using their vision in lessons. I support their nursery or school by giving them advice on how to support your child.
I am responsible for children with visual processing* difficulties.
Favourite part of my job is…knowing I have made a difference and helped a child and their family. I also enjoy working with children and seeing their different personalities and sense of humour – they always know how to make you smile!
Email me: jane.ferguson@newcastle.gov.uk
I visit your child in their school or college. I assess your child’s vision and sometimes observe them using their vision in lessons. I support their school or college by giving them advice on how to support your child.
I am responsible for children and young people who are moving from schools into colleges – this is called Post 16.
Favourite part of my job is…helping young people break down any barriers they may face and seeing them become confident to talk about their visual impairment. I love chatting and hearing of their dreams and hopes for the future – and then watching those happen!
Email me: Rachel.lambert@newcastle.gov.uk
I visit your child in their school. I assess your child’s vision and sometimes observe them using their vision in lessons. I support their school by giving them advice on how to support your child.
I visit families when their child has been given a Certificate of Visual Impairment*.
Favourite part of my job is…working with others.
Email me: mark.gillingwater@newcastle.gov.uk
I support your child by teaching them to be safe and be able to access their everyday life. This can include the big things like road safety, using public transport and getting from A to B but also the smaller things like making a drink and snack.
I work during the school holidays so I can support you and your child in your local community.
I visit families when their child has been given a Certificate of Visual Impairment*
Favourite part of my job is…working with children, young people and their families knowing that I am teaching skills that will support them through life.
Email me: rob.oglethorpe@newcastle.gov.uk
Once your child has been visited by a QTVI, I support them and their school by making learning resources that your child needs to access their learning. This can include books, exam papers and science equipment.
I am responsible for giving advice to schools on equipment and assistive technology*.
Favourite part of my job is…when the writing is too small and difficult to read, being able to make something they can see and read, just like their friends.
Email me: Kerry.crozier@newcastle.gov.uk
I work closely with a QTVI and visit children on a regular one-to-one basis. This can be with you in your home or your child’s nursery or school.
I teach children through play to develop their vision, supporting the nursery or school on the day-to-day difficulties your child might have.
Favourite part of my job is…working with children/CYP to find the ways so they can learn and socialise with their friends. Seeing how this can make a difference with their confidence and awareness of their visual impairment, especially from an early age.
Email me: eleri.owen@newcastle.gov.uk
