Partners in Learning (PIL)
Course overview
For most children vision is the most important channel for
communication and understanding, so learning with little or no
sight presents significant challenges to established ways of
teaching. As a teacher, teaching assistant, support worker or early
years practitioner, you fulfil a crucial role in understanding and
meeting the needs of a blind or partially sighted learner in your
setting.
RNIB's Partners in Learning course, which was developed in
conjunction with the Open University, can provide you with the
necessary knowledge and skills to provide a high level of
education for the learners with whom you work.
The course, which is accredited as a BTEC advanced certificate at
level 3, is the only UK-wide accredited training designed for
education support staff working with blind and partially sighted
learners. In recognition of its excellence, several local authorities
have made Partners in Learning a mandatory qualification for
teaching assistants employed in their visual impairment support
services.
What does the course cover?
Partners in Learning seeks to challenge you to consider your
current practice, share and develop this with others in the field, and
apply your new understanding to your working situation. You are
asked to actively use your learning in a variety of practical ways
and to implement your developing knowledge of best practice with
colleagues and learners in your own setting.
Learning Outcomes
The Partners in Learning course will allow you to:
 understand visual impairment and its implications for
educational and social development
 learn a range of skills and techniques to support learners and
promote their independence both in and out of the classroom
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 develop an understanding of team work and its importance in
effective practice.
develop a positive working relationship with learners which
promotes their independence and engages them in planning and
decision making.
Learning Pathways
The course is modular and enables you to register for one of the
following pathways, so you can specialise in the area that is most
appropriate to the children or young people you support:
 Visual impairment: principal disability: This pathway is
suitable for those working with children and young people
whose visual impairment is their main or only disability, usually
in a mainstream school or setting.
 Visual impairment: complex needs: This pathway is suitable
for those working with children and young people with
significant additional needs as well as visual impairment,
usually in a special school or setting.
 Visual impairment: early years: This pathway is suitable for all
practitioners working with young children from birth to five
years, with or without additional needs, in the home or early
years settings.
How is the course delivered?
Partners in Learning is studied over a calendar year. The course is
predominantly delivered online, but includes two training days, one
at the start of the course and the other half way through. Training
days are held at a regional location within reach of all students.
Special arrangements can be made for students whose
circumstances mean they are unable to attend both training days.
The blended course runs over three terms and is divided into six
units, each estimated to involve around 30 hours of study. The
units include:
 provision, roles and responsibilities
 vision and visual impairment
 effective practice
 curriculum access
 communication skills in a learning environment
 independence and social inclusion.
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Assessment
Assessment is via regular assignments, online discussions and
factual tests. Each unit includes the following elements:
 online self study activities assessed by an online multiple choice
test
 online group discussion activities which enable you to engage
and share your learning with other students
 short written assignments encouraging you to apply your
learning from the unit to your own situation.
What are the benefits?
Benefits of the blended learning course include:
 leads to national qualification (level 3 BTEC)
 flexible online access
 detailed timetable of activities
 extensive course materials set out over six units
 varied approach to learning and assessment
 frequent online discussions with fellow students
 regular online contact with experienced tutor
 specialist pathways to reflect different professional contexts
 fewer training days involving less travel.
Partners in Learning leads to a customised BTEC Level 3
Advanced Certificate entitled "Working with learners with visual
impairment in educational settings". It does not meet the
requirements of the mandatory qualification for teachers of children
with visual impairment.
Who is the course for?
The course is suitable for any education professional that works
with blind or partially sighted children and young people, including
teachers, teaching assistants, support workers and early years
practitioners.
Entry requirements
You should be able to provide evidence of the following:
 education to GCSE standard, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
experience or qualifications
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 working on a regular basis with one or more children or young
people with visual impairment for the duration of the course
 regular access to broadband internet and email facilities
 employer support for the period of your training.
When can I start the course?
The next planned online course will start in September 2015.
Introductory training days will be held in London, Birmingham and
Leeds.
To apply or for further information contact cypf@rnib.org.uk
How much will it cost?
The 2015 fee is £700 per participant. This includes BTEC
registration, training days, all course materials and access to
online activities.
How do I apply?
To book your place download the application form available at our
Events, training and networks for Education professionals page
and email it to cypf@rnib.org.uk
Alternatively, send the form by fax or post to the address below.
Administrative Assistant
RNIB Children's Services
PO Box 8382
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 9BL
t: 01509 632413
f: 01509 632401
Email cypf@rnib.org.uk
Terms and conditions
 All courses are subject to viable numbers.
 Please pay on receipt of invoice.
 RNIB reserves the right to impose a charge for places cancelled
two months or less before the commencement date, and in
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situations where students withdraw after commencement of the
course.
Feedback from the field
Teaching assistants play a vital role in the education of children
with visual impairment. Partners in Learning is designed to meet
their training needs and to recognise their skills and experience
through an accredited BTEC qualification. We have collected here
the experiences and thoughts of some employers and students
who have undertaken the course in recent years.
Managers' views
Janice Lunn, Senior Advisory Teacher for VI in Wakefield, has
trained 10 staff on the course in recent years.:
"Partners in Learning gives support staff a qualification which
recognises their specialism. It offers an opportunity to network with
support staff in other LAs on a regular basis and share expertise
and knowledge. But I think its greatest benefit is confirming to
experienced staff that they are doing a great job with the kids and
that they already know much more than they think they do."
Jane Booth, Headteacher of Ash Field School in Leicester said:
"The course has provided an experienced teaching assistant with a
very interesting focus and a high level of challenge. At school, we
have been able to use her expertise to make significant changes in
our provision for several pupils. This has involved making and
adapting teaching resources and approaches and thinking
creatively about the learning environment for pupils with visual
impairment. The course is clearly very practical and motivating. A
further 'spin off' of is that many of the newly acquired skills and
knowledge have been shared in a very positive way with other
teaching and support staff."
Students’ views
“This was a very high quality course, every task is relevant, every
part of it worthwhile.”
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“I have benefited greatly from this course. I felt that I have not only
re-affirmed what I am doing as Curriculum Access Specialist is
correct, but also learnt so much more through the self-learning and
discussions with others. I found the content of the course valuable
and through all the links provided I can carry on with my own
research and look into other aspects to which I am drawn.”
“I just wanted to say a personal 'Thank You' for such a great
course! I have learnt so much and definitely know that doing PIL
will help me to improve my working practice. I am actually a bit
gutted it has finished!”
“The course was brilliant, I would certainly recommend anyone
working with VI children that get the chance to do the course to do
so. I will miss it. Thank you all for putting so much into it for us.”
“I found this excellent course motivating and thought provoking,
thank you all for all the support and encouragement, I hope it
makes me far more sensitive and effective supporting the visually
impaired students I work with.”
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