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chelseachildrenshospitalschool.org

Who we areOur School

We are a state funded special school in London, England. We provide classroom and ward based education for children while they are in hospital. We are based at 4 hospital sites:

About our School
HOME arrow EDUCATION & ILLNESS arrow PARENTS ADVICE
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classroom.jpg14% of children between 4 and 16 have a chronic illness. 1 in 7 school age children suffer from asthma, and 25,000 people under 20 have diabetes. Children have an entitlement to continue with their education, regardless of their circumstances.

Some children have acute conditions such as thalassaemia, sickle cell anemia, renal failure or cancer. Cancer affects one in sixty children under 15, approximately 65% of whom will survive into adulthood. A growing number of children suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME). Mental health problems affect 2% of children under 16, and some will be out of school for substantial periods, with, for example anorexia nervosa or depression. These situations have a tremendous impact on the education of children and young people. Missing time from school because of illness can be a cause of great concern and anxiety to children, their families and schools. Children and their families have to try to come to terms with the trauma that illness can bring. In addition, the regular routine for all concerned is disrupted, 'normality' is no longer available for a period of time.

The effect of long term absence through illness can affect the academic progress of a child, causing them to fall behind, and can be very isolating for the child in all sorts of ways, especially important is the loss of contact with friends. These children have been described as 'invisible': their absences are authorized; however when they return they often may have academic and social problems which need to be addressed before they worsen and lead to other difficulties.

Maintaining continuity of education, where appropriate, can help to alleviate some of these difficulties. It is vital therefore that effective and sensitive communication takes place between school, parents and the child.

Children have an entitlement to continue with their education, regardless of their circumstances.

 
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