The School for Blind Children at Craigmillar Park was founded in 1835 by Mr James Gall, an Edinburgh Printer.

The school then grew in 1875 from the amalgamation of the educational unit of the Asylum. By this time the curriculum had extended to cover arithmetic, Braille printing, English, geography, history, recitation and even the elements of geometry, while older children were given instruction in organ and piano playing. The new century saw a move into higher education with the presentation of students for recognised diplomas in music and the creation of a link with the University of Edinburgh, extending the range of professional opportunities.

In September 1933, the school was completely re-organised to extend the provision of secondary education and to give pre-school children separate accommodation. By 1939, a new classroom block had been erected and the school continued to function during the war.

The end of the war in 1945 saw another positive step being taken with the purchase of Barrie House to provide a separate location for pre-school children – an aspect of education then on the threshold of development. This decade of advance also saw attention focused on the needs of children hitherto out with the education service. With the opening of Muirburn House in 1953, the Royal Blind School moved into the difficult and challenging field of provision for children who were not only visually impaired but had serious additional handicaps of speech, movement or comprehension.

In 1954, Drever House was acquired to give separate space to the younger primary children.

All this reflected the demands on the school, in terms, not only of numbers, but the increasingly extended curriculum and the extra-curricular and recreational activities of the school. Resident and day pupils alike were encouraged to extend their horizons and to participate fully in school life. This was achieved by the skills of a large number of highly trained and dedicated staff.

This approach has continued throughout the ensuing decades. The school is now a national school offering the highest quality provision to meet the needs of children and young adults with a visual impairment. The school offers both residential and day placements for pupils from throughout Scotland and the UK and is located on two sites in Edinburgh: Canaan Lane Campus and Craigmillar Park Campus. Departments include a pre-school unit (early years and nursery), primary and secondary.

The school is inclusive, supporting pupils across the full ability range. Provision includes:

• Units, courses and clusters up to Advanced Higher Level
• Programmes of study for those with Additional Support Needs (ASN)
• Programmes of study for those with Multiple Disabilities and a Visual Impairment (MDVI)
• Specialist training
• A range of therapies
• Residential respite

The teaching philosophy employed at the school is based on the understanding that low vision creates unique educational needs. Vision is the primary sense for learning and consequently the sense on which most traditional educational programmes are based. Loss of vision requires the development and use of imaginative and varied teaching approaches. In addition, it also demands that pupils receive an additional essential curriculum. This includes tuition in orientation and mobility, Braille, assistive technology and independent living skills.

It is the goal of the Royal Blind School to enable all young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society.