Children may experience ill health at some point during their time at school and others may have an ongoing medical condition that potentially impairs their ability to access education in school. In the majority of cases, schools are able to support pupils in such circumstances effectively.
Department for Education guidance (opens pdf in new window) outlines how, in more exceptional cases, support can be made available in order to minimise disruption to a child’s education, where their needs cannot be met by the school.
Kirklees Council has the overall responsibility for the education of children with health and medical needs who cannot attend school.
In Kirklees, Medical Tuition is provided by Greater Heights Academy Trust, which as 45 places available for medical tuition.
This service is accessed by a referral from the mainstream school and must be supported by medical advice from a consultant. Support is usually on a short term basis, with the child remaining dual registered with their mainstream school. The aim of this provision is, where possible, to support the pupil towards reintegration back into mainstream education when they are well enough. This is done at the earliest opportunity, working closely with the school, the pupil, parents/carers and other professionals.
