Provision
of Education for
Pupils Absent from School On Medical Grounds |
| We recognise that all pupils should have access
to as much education as their medical condition allows. A pupil
who is unable to attend school because of illness or injury
should have his / her educational needs identified and be offered
educational support swiftly and effectively. We will work with
parents, Health Authorities and the Educational Welfare Officer
to ensure early identification of absence on account of health
problems. |
| For absences that are expected to last for 15
days or less, we will liaise with the pupils' parents to provide
them with homework as soon as they become able to cope with
it. For absences that are expected to last for more than 15
days, the SENCo will ensure that a Personal Education Plan (PEP)
is drawn up within five working days to safeguard the pupil's
entitlement to receive the same range and quality of educational
opportunities as he / she would have done in school. A key person
will be nominated to liaise with parents and outside agencies.
Guidance from parents will be sought and advice taken on appropriate
strategies to promote the pupil's educational welfare. Support
will be sought quickly from relevant services such as the Secondary
Support Service, Health and Social Services. |
| The PEP will include a description of the pupil's
special circumstances, relevant key dates, outside agencies
involved with the pupil and a description of the support they
are able to offer, an individual plan for ensuring continuity
of education, including the provision of assessment and curriculum
plans, arrangements for liaising with parents and home/hospital
teachers, including regular review meetings and a reintegration
programme. Copies of this plan will be provided to the pupil,
their parents and home/hospital teachers. The overriding aim
of every individual plan will be to provide a continuum of high
quality education. The school will work closely with parents
and external agencies to ensure reasonable and adequate progress
is maintained as far as possible, and that the pupil is enabled
to rejoin his/ her peers in mainstream school and to work at
appropriate levels across the school curriculum when his / her
health permits. The nominated key person for the pupil will
undertake to liaise with the home or hospital tuition service.
The school will supply course outlines and programmes of work
to be undertaken by the pupil whilst he / she is away from school,
and work returned to school will be assessed. Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) will be used wherever possible
to aid communication. The school will assist the pupil to prioritise
work demands during the period of absence. The school will monitor
progress. |
| Reintegration into school will be prepared for
thoroughly. The school will consult with parents and home and
/ or hospital tutors and the pupil to discuss concerns, medical
issues, timing and pace of return. The school will maintain
an appropriate, positive relationship with the pupil throughout
the period of absence from full-time attendance. A support plan
will be drawn up and agreed prior to reintegration, to help
the pupil adjust to the rigours and demands of daily school
life. Copies of this plan will be provided to the pupil, their
parents and home/hospital teachers. Support will be provided
to help with social integration and to ensure that any apparent
gaps in learning are addressed quickly. |
| Pupils approaching public examinations will be
offered targeted help to complete coursework requirements. Special
examination arrangements may be requested and special consideration
may be sought, if appropriate. Preparation for transition to
Post-16 education will be carefully undertaken, e.g. the Connexions
Service may work with the young person to assist them to make
a good transition. |
|
Once the pupil has returned to school, the school will work
to promote the full physical and mental health of the pupil.
Steps that may be taken to achieve this include:
|
positive classroom management techniques to promote positive
behaviour, social development and self-esteem; |
|
additional support in class and / or individual support for
the pupil; |
|
additional therapeutic work delivered by health specialists
or by school staff under the direction of health specialists;
|
|
counselling; |
|
support with medication; |
|
effective links with parents. |
| The school will monitor its own performance in
this area. |
This page was last updated on: Thursday 13 July, 2006