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Education at HHTS
‘Wow, where to begin. I wanted to write to you to demonstrate how much of a positive impact you have had on me……you have restored my faith in teachers everywhere…the CAMHS Campus School was definitely the highlight of Springfield for me as is the case for so many others.’

CAMHS Student

‘Every day my son looks forward to going to school – to get away from his room, and all the poking and prodding from doctors is such a relief. He is treated like a school boy, rather than a patient, and I think this has as much healing properties as medicine’

Parent of St George’s Student

Uniform

HHTS has no uniform and welcomes all students. However, students are guided by both teachers and medical staff to wear appropriate clothing.

School opening and closing times

Our school day begins for staff at 8.45 whereupon a register is collated by visiting the wards receiving handovers on students and sharing information with all staff at briefing. The school day is dictated by the hospital wards and their treatment timetable for patients. Lessons begin at 9.30 and end at 3.30 for students, 6 hours per day. The school day for teachers officially ends at 4.00pm to allow teachers to attend patient/student care plan meetings after school. 

Both school and hospital staff see education as an intrinsic part of recovery. Students who are well enough during their stay in hospital are expected to attend full school days. Wards and medical staff are encouraged to enable students to attend school by delivering  as much medical care as possible outside the school day.

The school day

The HHTS school day looks reassuringly like many mainstream school days. It is designed to give normality in educational expectations while a young person is unwell and undergoing medical treatment. This can be a traumatic time for our young people and their families. We are mindful of this while ensuring that our young people can use this time to address gaps in their learning, overcome barriers to learning and make accelerated progress when they are ready.

We enable students to thrive in their time with us through:

  • ascertaining their previous levels of achievement
  • gathering their current curriculum offer and any unmet aspirations
  • effective and timely baseline assessments
  • ensuring a personalised, flexible and broad curriculum offer
  • ensuring an outstanding calibre of teachers who understand and can meet all learners needs.

In her 2017 paper, Dr. Tara Porter of the Royal Free Hospital states that ‘it is real life which helps kids to get better’ or perhaps more accurately ‘makes them want to get better’. At HHTS, in addition to outstanding personalised teaching, we ensure inspirational life experiences are a key part of our students’ education and recovery. An emphasis on lessons promoting engagement and social skill development boosts self-esteem and raises aspirations. As with all aspects of our service, the UNCRC articles also inform our policy and practice: 

‘All children have the right to learn and to an education that develops their personality, talents and abilities to the full’

Articles 28 & 29

 

‘Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities’

Article 31

 

Please continue onto our curriculum areas to find out more about education programmes at HHTS

‘Every day my son looks forward to going to school – to get away from his room, and all the poking and prodding from doctors is such a relief. He is treated like a school boy, rather than a patient, and I think this has as much healing properties as medicine! Due to his illness, my son has missed about a month of schooling, but hopefully will have caught up because of the hospital school.’

(Parent, 2018)

‘Wow, where to begin. I wanted to write to you to demonstrate how much of a positive impact you have had on me……you have restored my faith in teachers everywhere...the CAMHS Campus School was definitely the highlight of Springfield for me as is the case for so many others. Rest assured if I ever get involved in the murky world of politics your funding will be quadrupled, ring-fenced and seared forever.’
‘We are so grateful and thankful for the brilliant staff at the St. George’s Hospital School. We have spent quite a lot of time there over the past 18 months, they have made learning such fun – memorable science experiments and story writing, the best time making posters and adverts and treats for the school cafe. The staff are cheerful, calm, gentle and above all fun. Thank you to the great team.’
‘We were so grateful to the teaching team. They have been absolutely fantastic. My daughter had surgery on Monday and was quiet and withdrawn. This has been instrumental in her recovery and also kept her mind on education whilst she’s been sick.’
‘Everyday my son looks forward to going to school – to get away from his room, and all the poking and prodding from doctors is such a relief. He is treated like a school boy, rather than a patient, and I think this has as much healing properties as medicine! Due to his illness, my son has missed about a month of schooling, but hopefully will have caught up because of the hospital school.’
‘We are so grateful and happy for the care and support – teachers are so helpful and very kind, we love you all for your hard work, keep it up. Thanks so much.’
‘Thank you for the range of learning opportunities you provided my son in hospital for the week for the week he was on the neuro ward. He found the activities very engaging and accessible. He thoroughly enjoys maths and looked forward to the activities you provided for this – he is especially looking forward to the spreadsheet analysis this afternoon. he enjoys music and was surprised to have the opportunity to learn about and play different instruments. Thanks again for all your help.’
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‘We are so grateful that there is a school/classroom to attend. Josie really needs something to focus on when he’s in hospital, he looks forward to getting out of his room and working/studying English, Maths and other interesting topics he can learn about. It has really made a difference to his mood during the hospital stays, having been admitted so many times throughout the past 7 months. Furthermore, it helps him keep on top of his schooling.’
‘Thank you for helping me for the past 10 months. You have helped me to keep as motivated and hopeful for my future as I could have been. I cant wit to start college and maybe become a paramedic. I’ll always remember this school and everyone in it’
‘The service aims to enable pupils with long-term illnesses, mental health issues or who are pregnant to remain in education…... You and your staff ensure that these aims are fully met. Most pupils have missed long periods of learning due to illness. They make remarkable progress during their short time in the school.
Pupils told us that, without the school, they would not be able to engage fully in learning or sit any examinations. Parents value the high-quality teaching provided alongside the excellent care and support given to each individual pupil.’

Ofsted, 2018

Education at HHTS

Student Wellbeing

Staff Wellbeing

Making a Referral

Keeping Yourself Safe