A team of opticians visited children of two East Yorkshire primary schools to guide them on good eye health. Pupils of Warter C.E VC Primary School and St Mary’s VC Academy learned about the science behind their role, the importance of regular eye tests and how they work, at the interactive sessions delivered to 100 pupils.
Sejal Patel, Hannah Seviour and Leena Ahmed, of Specsavers Pocklington, taught the youngsters about the equipment opticians use, how different eye conditions can affect vision and how opticians do their jobs, as part of the schools’ science week. Sejal said: “Vision plays an important role in all our lives, and presenting it to children in a fun and engaging way can help them understand it better and potentially reduce any anxiety about a regular eye test.
“For many children, visiting the opticians can feel unfamiliar or even a little scary, but by showing them the equipment we use, the questions we ask, and who they might meet during an eye examination, we can make the experience feel less daunting.” The children received Optomonster goody bags, that included a colouring sheet, stationery, a key ring, a glasses cloth, and a selection of stickers to help them remember their visit.
Dipo Oni, Year 4 teacher at Warter, said: “Specsavers’ visit helped raise pupils’ awareness of the importance of eye health and provided them with practical advice on how to protect their eyes. The children were fascinated by the various eye tests shown and enjoyed testing each other – it was a fantastic experience for them.”
Sarah Fox, office manager at St Mary’s, said: ‘The team not only helped our pupils better understand the science of our eyes, but also emphasised the importance of eye check-ups and what to expect during an appointment.” Sejal said: “We’re grateful to both Warter and St Mary’s for welcoming us into their schools and allowing us to show the children what a career in the optical industry involves, as well as raising awareness about a topic they might not know much about.
“We had a wonderful time chatting with pupils and enjoyed being out in our local community. We hope to continue building relationships with the schools and visit more in the area to raise awareness in the classroom – not only about the importance of eye health and ensuring they receive the care they need, but also about the science behind our roles.”
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