At Ipswich Hospital School, we work closely with the pupils’ home schools to offer a co-constructed curriculum, with the clear aim of meeting the educational and emotional needs of each pupil, whilst taking into account their medical needs and treatment plans. In order to support re-engagement and reintegration with the pupil’s home school, the home school curriculum is implemented for each child through coordinated delivery mechanisms and regular communications between Raedwald and the home school. This could include access to mainstream learning via specific technology and/or their home schools’ virtual learning platform or 1:1 teaching in a suitable alternative location.
All of our interactions include SMSC and PSHE with a strong focus on self-esteem and self-confidence.
In the event that home school curriculum is unavailable, specific aspects of the curriculum will be prioritised by Raedwald to ensure that pupils can continue to access examinations and are well-prepared for wider life. This will include a focus on the core academic subjects of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science and statutory entitlement of RE, the curriculum will be heavily weighted towards delivering PSHE/RSHE and 1:1 Thrive to support their social and emotional development. This interim curriculum is short term and temporary and will be in place for no longer than 6 weeks. We aim to ensure schools understand and are able to fulfil their statutory duties around children with medical needs, hence following their Home School curriculum.
The curriculum diet and method of delivery depends on the duration and nature of a pupil’s admission and treatment needs. The ultimate aim is to offer an engaging curriculum created in collaboration with pupils and their home school.
At Ipswich Hospital School, we have a strong reading ethos and reading for pleasure is actively promoted and celebrated. Pupils are offered a book on admission, and they are able to access daily reading sessions which focus on the study of a range of texts. For those who need it, phonics is taught using a systematic synthetic phonics programme, such as Fresh Start and Read Write Inc. School staff and pupils are able to access reading and phonics applications via Kindle and other digital aids.
Progress is monitored carefully and targets are designed to provide suitable challenge and opportunities for further progression. The intention is that our support will help pupils return to their mainstream schools as soon as possible, ensuring that pupils’ health does not adversely affect their education.
Ipswich Hospital School follows the Hospital School Pathway.
More information about the Raedwald Trust Pathways can be found here.