A North East independent school and university are coming together to tackle colour blindness, an often-overlooked condition affecting thousands of children.

Dame Allan's Schools has partnered with Newcastle University’s School of Psychology to raise awareness of colour vision deficiency (CVD) and push for the reintroduction of routine testing in schools across the UK.

Led by Dr Gabriele Jordan and PhD student Harpreet Dlay, the research explores how undiagnosed CVD can impact pupils' self-esteem, motivation, and academic performance.

Dame Allan’s Schools is sharing its proactive approach to identifying and supporting pupils with the condition, including regular screenings and tailored teaching methods.

Dr Jordan said: “By partnering with Dame Allan’s Schools, we are gaining invaluable insights into the challenges faced by children with CVD. However, to drive meaningful policy change and reintroduce colour vision testing in schools, a wider network of schools is required to join in this vital research.

“The involvement of more institutions will help us build a strong case for implementing necessary changes that can support these students effectively.”

CVD affects one in 12 men and one in 200 women, yet many schools do not screen for the condition. Routine testing was removed from the Healthy Child Programme in 2009 following the Hall Review, leaving around 80 per cent of young people with CVD undiagnosed when they start secondary school.

This can lead to significant challenges, particularly in subjects like art, maths, and science, where colour recognition plays a key role.

Dr Jordan added: “When children are not diagnosed and repeatedly experience failure in tasks that rely on colour discrimination – such as in tests or everyday school activities – they may struggle with feelings of inadequacy, not because they lack the skills or intelligence, but because they cannot perceive the colours presented to them. This can significantly affect their self-esteem.”

Dame Allan’s is one of the few schools proactively addressing CVD, routinely screening pupils with the Ishihara test. Led by the school nurse, Lynsey Procter, the screening ensures no student is overlooked.

Teachers also adapt classroom materials to support pupils, avoiding traditional methods like coloured labels and charts that can present challenges.

Read More:

Get more local stories, reviews and exclusive content from The Northern Echo and join our growing digital family with a subscription.

Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that every pupil has the tools and support they need to succeed. Our partnership with Newcastle University aligns perfectly with this vision, as we continue to lead the way in identifying and supporting pupils with colour vision deficiency.

“By working together, we can raise awareness and set a new standard for how schools approach CVD, helping every child to reach their full potential in an inclusive and supportive environment.”

Newcastle University aims to collect data from at least 100 children diagnosed with CVD to build a comprehensive case for policy change.

Ms Dlay said: “It is about raising awareness among educators and developing strategies to support these children in the classroom.

“By collaborating with schools like Dame Allan’s, we can highlight the need for routine screening and ensure that no student is overlooked or left unsupported due to a lack of awareness.”

Schools interested in participating in future research or offering free CVD screenings can contact Newcastle University’s Colour Vision Lab at NCLColourVisionLab@newcastle.ac.uk to register their interest.