Unlocking audio at St Vincent's School

At St Vincent’s School, pupils are discovering new ways to learn, connect and grow, thanks to a partnership with BWBF.

The specialist school supports children with sensory impairments and other additional needs. Thanks to donated Alexa devices and iPads from BWBF as part of a pilot project, assistive technology is now part of everyday school life.

From setting timers in sports lessons to supporting pupils as they learn braille – or simply feeding their natural curiosity – the devices have quickly become invaluable.

Making learning accessible

The iPads and Alexas are used across the school – in lessons, one-to-one support sessions, and residential areas.

Pupils can access information, complete homework and relax outside of class, building confidence in using the same technology they enjoy at home.

Teachers at the school share how these devices are enriching lessons across the curriculum:

“In science, the iPads support practical investigations through the stopwatch, video and note-taking features, enabling students to document and reflect on their experiment," explains one of the teachers at the school.

“In maths, they’re used as calculators, for educational games, and to photograph tactile resources like graphs and diagrams – making visual lessons more accessible.

“In humanities subjects, pupils use them for independent research, encouraging autonomy and participation."

Confidence & inclusion

Beyond their classroom role, the devices are transforming how pupils with sight loss engage with learning.

"Voice-control functions allow pupils to complete tasks independently, fostering inclusion, autonomy and confidence in their learning. Without this technology, such tasks would not be accessible to them."