Warrington Orthoptic department deliver a vision screening service for all reception aged children in Warrington. This service has been running for 6 years and it was previously delivered by school health advisors.
It has been recommended by Hall (2003) and the National screening committee that vision screening should be an;
‘Orthoptic led service for all children aged 4-5 years of age, using a logMAR vision test.’
Our vision screening service is led by a specialised Orthoptist, and we have three specifically trained Orthoptic Assistants who perform the vision screening assessments at schools.
It is important that every child has a vision assessment as vision only develops until the age of 7-8 years; this is known as the critical period. After this period it may not be possible to improve a child’s vision and they may be left with permanently reduced vision in one or both eyes. This may have life implications such as ability to drive or affect career choice.
An ‘opt out’ consent letter from the child’s school is sent home. You only have to complete this form if you do not wish your child to be tested or if your child is already under an eye specialist. We will collect these forms from each school, if you do not return the form to school within 2 weeks it will be assumed that you wish your child to be tested. Any child who ‘opts out’ from this service will not be tested and will be removed from the vision screening programme.
During the assessment we will test the child’s vision in each eye, and look out for any obvious eye problems e.g. squints, drooping lids etc. The tests are designed to be fun and do not rely on children knowing letters. On the day of test the Orthoptic assistant will leave a letter informing parents/carer’s whether or not the child has passed the tests. All test results will be recorded on child health records.
If they do not meet the pass criteria they will be referred to an appropriate specialist (Orthoptist, Optometrist or Ophthalmologist). An appointment letter will be sent through the post.
We screen all 67 reception schools in Warrington Borough.
WA1
Bruche Community Primary School
Oakwood Avenue
St Elphin’s (Fairfield)
St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
WoolstonCommunity Primary School
Woolston CE Primary School
WA2
Beamont Community Primary School
Brook Acre Community Primary School
Christ Church CE Primary School
Cinnamon Brow CE Primary School
Meadowside community Primary School
St Andrewscommunity Primary School
St Benedicts Catholic Primary School
St Bridgets catholic Primary School
St Margaret’s CE Voluntary School
St Stephens Catholic Primary School
Warrington St Anne CE Primary School
Winwick CE Primary School
WA3
Birchwood CE Pimary School
Croft Primary School
Culcheth Primary School
Glazebury Primary School
GorseCovert Primary School
Hollins Green StHelens CE
Locking Stumps Primary School
Newchurch Community Primary School
St Lewis Catholic Primary School
Twiss Green Community Primary School
WA4
Alderman Bolton
AppletonThorn
Bradshaw Community Primary school
Grappenhall Heys
Grappenhall St Wilfred’s CE
Latchford St James
Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School
St Augustines Catholic Primary School
St Monicas catholic Primary School
St Thomas’s CE primary School
Stretton St Matthews CE Primary School
Stockton Heath Primary School
Thelwall Community Infant School
The Cobb's Infant School
WA5
Barrowhall Community Primary School
Bewsey Lodge Primary School
Burtonwood Community Primary School
Callands Primary School
Chapelford Village Primary School
Dallam Community Primary School
Evelyn Street Primary School
Great Sankey Primary School
Park Road Community Primary School
Penketh Community Primary School
Penketh South Community Primary School
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Sankey Valley St James CE Primary School
St Albans Catholic Primary School
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
St Paul of the Cross
St Phillips CE Aided Primary School
St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School
Warrington St Barnabas CE Primary School
Westbrook Old Hall Primary School
WA13
Cherry Tree Primary School
Oughtrington Community Primary School
Ravenbank Community Primary School
Statham Community Primary School
Any child who is home schooled will be offered an appointment at a nearby clinic.
Any child who attends a special school will be seen by our specialist team of Orthoptist's (see SEN service).
We do not have specific waiting times, the Orthoptist will liaise with the school to arrange a date that is convenient for us to assess the children. If a child is uncooperative or absent on the day of testing then we will see them on a catch up session later on throughout the academic year. If a child is referred into the eye clinic for further assessments there will be a waiting time for this appointment. This may vary throughout the year depending on how many referrals we receive.
Jennifer Shave Joint Lead Orthoptist
Lindsay Grant Joint Lead Orthoptist
Chloe-Lise Smith Orthoptic Assistant
Sheila Dodd Orthoptic Assistant
Kathryn Hankey Orthoptic Assistant
Opt out consent form
Vision screening information leaflet for Parents/Guardian
Contact Details
If you require any more information please contact the Orthoptic department on 01925 662772.