What do we do?
- We teach pupils with medical needs when they are unable to attend school by providing continuity of education suited to their needs, ability, age and health at the time.
- We work in partnership with parents, educational and medical professionals to minimise the interruption and disruption to education.
- We aim to ensure that all children and young people with medical needs have access to a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum consistent with the national curriculum.
- We aim to provide early integration to school or alternative educational provision.
Who can access the Service?
- Pupils with severe or chronic forms of illness or ill health which result in significant periods away from school.
- Pupils with serious mental health difficulties which result in significant periods away from school.
- Pupils who experience ill health as a result of specific incidents such as road accidents which result in significant periods away from school.
- Pupils with a condition which requires periods of hospital treatment interspersed with periods at home or in school.
Where do we work?
Hospital teachers are based in The Bristol Royal Hospital For Children, Southmead Hospital, Lumsden Walker House and Riverside Adolescent Unit. Teachers working in pupils' homes or in small teaching groups are based at our administrative centre at Embleton Primary School.
What can you expect from the Service?
At The Bristol Royal Hospital For Children and Southmead Hospital:
Pupils will be taught
- When they are expected to be in hospital for 5 days or more.
- When short term hospitalisation is part of a prolonged period of absence from school.
- When they have recurrent admissions to hospital.
- When they are siblings of long stay patients from other LEAs.
All eligible pupils will be taught from day one as far as possible.
We aim to contribute to the children's physical and psychological recovery by providing a secure, welcoming and stimulating educational environment.
At Lumsden Walker House
Lumsden Walker House is a day psychiatric unit for children aged 5 - 13 years providing assessment and treatment of children with complex mental health needs. The unit schoolroom is a small safe environment where children whose mental health needs have disrupted their learning can enjoy a positive educational experience. Staff observe children closely and help them with both academic and interpersonal skills, aiming to increase confidence and ability so they can cope better within their own schools.
At The Riverside Adolescent Unit
The Riverside Adolescent Unit is a day and residential unit for the assessment and treatment of pupils aged 13 - 19 years who are experiencing complex mental health needs. The unit at Riverside aims to provide a small therapeutic environment and positive experience of education which builds pupils' self esteem, tries to resolve any difficulties they may have and to develop patterns of behaviour and attendance which will make it possible for them to return to mainstream education.
On Home Tuition
A minimum of 5 hours teaching a week is provided for pupils who for medical reasons.
- Are predicted to be absent for 15 or more working days or
- have prolonged or recurring absences from school.
Referrals must be authorised by a senior clinical medical officer or a consultant paediatrician. Referrals from general practitioners will only be considered when a pupil has been referred to a consultant and is awaiting an appointment.
At the Embleton Groups
Secondary aged pupils who are entitled to home tuition are admitted when they are able to travel and sustain a half day group session. The aim of the groups is to enable pupils to continue their education in a supportive environment; to build self-esteem, reduce isolation by learning with peers, develop positive patterns of behaviour and attendance and facilitate a return to school, college or work. Pupils attend for a maximum of five half days a week.
At all locations
The service is a registered examination centre. Pupils are entered for GCSE and other accredited examinations. When pupils have been entered by their schools for examinations but are unable to attend, we arrange for invigilation at home, in hospital or at our administrative base.
How do we contact the Service?
General enquiries and enquiries about home tuition should be made to the head of service. Enquiries about pupils in hospital or units should be made direct to those sites.
Bristol Royal Hospital For Children
Paul O'Gorman Building
Upper Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS2 8BJ
Tel: 0117 3428263
Fax: 0117 3428262
Lumsden Walker House
St Michael's Hill
Bristol
BS2 8BJ
Tel/fax: 0117 9285363
Southmead Hospital (Woodlands Children's Unit)
Southmead Road
Bristol
BS10 5NB
Tel/fax: 0117 9595014
Riverside Adolescent Unit
Blackberry Hill Hospital
Stapleton
Bristol
BS16 2EW
Tel: 0117 9754875 Fax:0117 9754830