We aim to provide an enriching and enjoyable experience for all our pupils which ensures normality through education and helps to prevent anxiety about school work.

Where appropriate, we will provide continuity of education within the framework of the National Curriculum.

Education is part of the overall treatment of the children and the School is an essential component of Great Ormond Street Hospital's (GOSH) facilities.

Where do we teach?

Teaching is carried out in a variety of locations:

• in the main schoolroom area, or adjacent Centre (GOSH)

• in the purpose built schoolrooms on T11 and T12 (UCH)

• at the bedside, in cubicles (GOSH, UCH)

• by arrangement at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN)

The schoolroom in the main Southwood Building at GOSH is a converted ward comprising two small computer suites, a multi-purpose library, toilet facilities and an open plan adaptable schoolroom area for use by pupils of all keys stages.

In addition, we have a small, outside patio area for play and teaching on fine days.

The two schoolrooms at University College Hospital (T11 and T12) are well-equipped with a wide range of resources, including computers, and are within easy reach of the nurse's station on each ward.

Who is taught?

We teach inpatients of statutory school age. Long-stay and recurring pupils younger or older than statutory school age may be taught if they have a statement of special educational needs or through negotiation.

We do not teach outpatients or day patients. Priority is given to long-stay or recurring pupils and those studying for and sitting exams. By arrangement we also teach siblings of long-stay pupils who are unable to attend their home school.

The length of teaching time individual pupils receive is variable and depends on many factors including:

• their medical condition, including psychological and surgical factors 
• their length of stay 
• any special educational needs, including exam requirements 
• teacher availability 

For information on what we teach, please see our School and Centre timetables.  

Special educational needs

Pupils with special educational needs are given equal consideration to other pupils in all aspects of our provision. It is helpful if we are informed about children who have special educational needs and/or provided with a Statement of Special Educational Needs. 

This enables us to provide appropriate resources and support, if necessary, from our special needs team. 

Ward teaching

Priority is given to patients who are:

• long-stay 
• recurring 
• taking exams

If your child is likely to be in hospital for more than a few days it would be helpful if you could bring details of any schoolwork (coursework, homework, exams) that they need to keep up with.

Short stay patients

We may also teach and/or provide resources for short stay pupils, particularly if they are able to attend the schoolroom and work in groups.

We do not teach:

• one-off, day patients  
• outpatients, except long-stay pupils previously on school roll 
• children who are not patients of the GOSH and UCH Trusts 

Discretionary groups

Siblings may, at the school's discretion, be admitted onto the roll of the school and/or the Centre. 

There is no statutory obligation for the school to admit pupils in this discretionary group and a place in school cannot be guaranteed. 

Siblings/patients in hospital accommodation/regular outpatients must have the permission of the Headteacher or Assistant Headteacher before being entered on roll.

If the number of siblings exceeds the number of inpatients on roll in the schoolroom, admission may have to be refused or deferred. 

Siblings will be expected to seek local school entry after two to three weeks on our roll, if their anticipated stay becomes extended. Initally, siblings may be invited to join afternoon schoolroom lessons only. 

The Centre, next door to the school, is available for all siblings.

Pupil progress

We have a carefully structured system of planning, recording and assessment to ensure that each child is appropriately taught.

All pupils have an individual register and record sheet on the database where teachers record the work completed by each child and the progress made. Long-stay pupils also have a Personal Education Plan designed to address their individual learning needs. 

The ongoing curriculum record, along with an end of admission, or termly report, provides a cumulative assessment for such pupils and can be a valuable source of information for home schools with whom we liaise. 

Reintegration

The process of reintegrating pupils back into their schools after they have been discharged is an integral part of what our Hospital School does. We believe that children, parents and school should all be supported during this process.

We deliver this support for long-stay patients by:

• Liaising with schools and/or the Local Authority (LA) to inform of a child’s discharge from the hospital. 
• Providing the school with strategies to support the reintegration of a pupil.
• In appropriate cases, providing schools and parents with information on the work completed by the child whilst in hospital. 
• Liaising with LAs, schools and parents to put home tutoring in place for children who cannot immediately return to school. 
• Discussing children’s hopes and fears for their return to school before they leave the hospital.  

For patients with recurring admissions we keep in touch with the child, the family and the home school, ensuring that all parties are aware of a child’s progress. We also support pupils’ welfare by monitoring ongoing educational issues such as school attendance.

For further information about your child’s schooling please contact the hospital school on 020 7813 8269, or email admin@gosh.camden.sch.uk

Who works in the school?

The school staff is a highly committed and experienced team comprising leadership and extended leadership teams, teachers, teaching assistants, pupil liaison officers, learning mentors, a business manager, a Centre manager, a facilities officer, a network manager, undergraduate students and volunteers.

There is an annual programme of continuing professional development to keep staff up-to-date with local and national developments in education. 

Resources

Throughout the school we aim to maintain an environment that enables our pupils to learn. In order to do this, we are constantly updating, evaluating and adding to our resources.

Our principal resource is of course, our staff. 

We have a highly qualified complementary team of qualified teachers and teaching assistants. Many have specialist post-graduate diplomas and several have second degrees. 

Our staff have a variety of special educational needs qualifications and some have experience of teaching English as a foreign/second language.  

We also have teachers fluent in a variety of languages. 

We have two Pupil Liaison Officers who work to ensure pupils are fully assessed on entry and reintegrated successfully on discharge.

The School was inspected by Ofsted in 1995, 1999, 2006 and more recently in 2009 when each area inspected was awarded the top mark of ‘outstanding’, a rare achievement.

The report can be read in detail on the OFSTED website.