St Vincent’s is a small non-maintained special school for pupils who are blind and partially sighted, usually combined with additional learning difficulties and disabilities including those on the autism spectrum and some who have physical, medical and other sensory conditions. The school is run and managed by the parent charity, the Catholic Blind Institute, which operates a range of adult services as well as the school. The trustees delegate the day-today management of the school to its governing body. Pupils may be admitted at any time, currently from 18 different local authorities. All pupils have a statement of their special educational needs. At present pupils are predominantly of White British heritage. The school is designated to take children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, but has not admitted any for several years. The school’s sixth form, for students from 16-19 years of age, is known as the post-16 department. After-school activities are offered to both day and residential students. The school has designation as a specialist school for sensory impairment. It holds a number of awards including: Liverpool Inclusive Schools Award, Healthy Schools status, Silver Sing Up Award and Arts Mark.