In the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children we teach all young people of school age, who are in-patients including those with special needs and children on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
We also teach brothers and sisters of long stay patients who have come from another local authority and are staying in hospital accommodation temporarily.
All eligible pupils are taught from day one as often as possible. Teaching in the school room takes place from 9.30 until 11.45 am and on the wards from 9.00 until 12.00 noon afternoon teaching sessions are from 1.00 – 3.30 pm.
Children are taught in small groups where appropriate however teaching is often on a 1:1 basis.
What we teach
We have a team of primary, SEN, specialist secondary teachers and teaching assistants based at the hospital, which enables us to cover many areas of the curriculum.
With parental permission, we contact the pupil’s home school prior to teaching children so that we can cover the areas of the curriculum that are being missed during their time in hospital.
When this is not possible or appropriate our teaching is tailored to each individual pupil’s current medical, psychological and learning needs.
Pupils are able to take exams while in hospital.
We regularly work with artists, story tellers and musicians who provide opportunities for an enriched curriculum.
Where students are admitted to hospital on a regular basis or are admitted for longer periods of time we undertake more detailed planning with the students school so that the teaching we provide supplements and supports the students school curriculum. This ensures that the continuation of education is as seamless as possible and that links between students and their schools are maintained throughout their stay in hospital.
Progress reports are sent to the pupil’s school once the pupil has had at least 10 teaching sessions.
Re-integration
When a student is discharged we provide details of education provided and progress made by students during their stay in hospital to their on roll schools.
Where necessary this will include an analysis of the specific needs which will need to be met before the pupil can to return to school and strategies for school staff to use.
When appropriate, referrals to out of school provision services will be made for students who are unable to return to school due to medical reasons.
Contact us:
Bristol Hospital Education Service.
Tel: 0117 3428320
Fax: 0117 3428262
