Sensory and/or Physical

Some of the aspects of difficulty included in this area are:

Hearing Impairment (HI)

Pupils with an HI range from those with a mild hearing loss to those who are profoundly deaf. They cover the whole ability range.

For educational purposes, pupils are regarded as having an HI if they require hearing aids, adaptations to their environment and/or particular teaching strategies to access the concepts and language of the curriculum.  A number of pupils with an HI also have an additional disability or learning difficulty. Hearing loss may be because of conductive or sensorineural problems and can be measured on a decibel scale. 

The Bromley Hearing Impaired Team (based at Griffins, Orpington) provides specialist peripatetic Teachers of the Deaf (ToD) and advisory services for children aged 0-19 with hearing impairments. Led by Gina Rosado, the team supports mainstream placements and provides audiological management.

Visual Impairment (VI)

A visual impairment is generally defined as an eyesight problem that cannot be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses or by surgery.

The terms partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind are used in the educational context to describe students with visual impairments. They are defined as follows:

The Griffins Vision Team in Bromley provides specialist, qualified teachers (QTVIs) for children and young people with vision impairments from birth to 19 years, offering home visits, school support, and habilitation training. They work with families, schools, and early years settings to ensure educational inclusion, assessment, and access to the curriculum.  

Physical Disability (PD)

There is a wide range of physical disabilities and pupils cover the whole ability range. Some pupils are able to access the curriculum and learn effectively without additional educational provision.  In the same way, a medical diagnosis does not necessarily mean a pupil has an SEN.  It depends on the impact the condition has on their educational needs.

There are a number of medical conditions associated with physical disability that can impact mobility. These include cerebral palsy, heart disease, spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and muscular dystrophy. Pupils with physical disabilities may also have sensory impairments, neurological problems or learning difficulties.

Medical Needs

A medical diagnosis or a disability does not necessarily imply a special educational need (SEN). It may not be necessary for the child or young person with any particular diagnosis or medical condition to have any additional form or educational provision at any phase of education. It is the child’s medical needs rather than a diagnosis that must be considered.