We had a very exciting visit in the library this week, which really engaged our year 7 students and introduced them to the fascinating world of Braille. Braille is a tactile writing system used by blind or visually impaired people, allowing them to access books and other written materials. We were delighted to welcome Lara Marshall, Library Engagement Manager for the RNIB, and Paul Porter, a lifetime user of Braille. All of year 7 had an assembly outlining what Braille is and how it’s used, before having a session in the library, in smaller groups, to “crack the code” and decipher some messages in Braille. The session included the use of Braille Lego, which was hugely popular, and other tactile objects, and was a great opportunity for the students to ask questions and listen to Paul’s lived experience.

We were very proud of the students’ engagement and their excellent listening skills. The library had a real buzz throughout the day, and for anyone interested in further learning please do visit the RNIB website: www.rnib.org.uk

Our thanks go to Lara and Paul, for a fantastic day, full of learning as well as fun.