In hospitals providing oncology services, there is usually a school. Each hospital has its own way of managing this offer, but there will probably be specialist subject teachers and/or support staff to make sure that all children/young people are empowered to continue their education whilst receiving treatment.
Teachers in hospital take guidance from the clinical team regarding when to start working with the student, whether the young person is well enough to access learning on a daily basis and any medical considerations that may be necessary. The teachers plan and deliver lessons either at the bedside or, in some settings, in a classroom.
Hospital teachers liaise with the child/young person’s on-roll school/college to ensure that the work being covered is supporting progress and is pertinent to each student. Information about educational progress is shared with school throughout.
When unable to attend school during or after treatment, there is a statutory local authority offer of home teaching for young people with a medical need. Hospital schools often have links with local home teaching services and can provide information to support accessing this offer.
How to contact a Hospital teacher
The National Association for Hospital Education (NAHE) is an organisation that supports professionals working in hospital education and would be able to direct queries appropriately. Alternatively ask for details of school provision in the tertiary referral centre.