The student population is diverse with student enrolments from both government and non–government school settings across Australia and internationally.
Our School caters to school-aged patients, and when necessary their siblings, who are unable to attend their census school, due to short-term or long-term healthcare needs. Students accessing a Hospital School may be:
- Inpatients: students who are residing in the hospital
- Outpatients: students who require treatment at the hospital, though do not require an overnight bed.
- Siblings: students who do not require hospital care, but can not attend their census school due to the treatment of a sibling.
The vastly different needs of students, based on their health needs and enrolment patterns, require differentiated methods of education delivery. Personalisation of learning plays a critical role in ensuring every young person who engages with the Hospital School is provided with the educational experience that meets their learning, well-being and social needs, as well as chronic or acute health needs.
The enrolment variability of students requires teaching staff to develop a personal learning pathway appropriate to their age, curriculum access point and projected enrolment period, with an emphasis on providing a whole school approach to digital connectedness and the delivery of a Hybrid Teaching and Learning Model connecting students whether remotely, in hospital wards or within multistage classrooms.
Students will move between the following delivery methods; in each space, their learning will be a seamless combination of learning that is face to face and virtual:
- School hub
- Ward – in room
- Ward - shared spaces
- Remote – patients in isolation or private accommodation
Working with the whole Family:
Sydney Children's Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital School understand that when a patient travels to Sydney for specialised medical treatment, the family routine often becomes disrupted.
Both Sydney Children's Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital School aim to care for the family as a whole during their stay. Sometimes families who have children and young people in hospital require additional educational support for siblings of inpatients. For example when families travel to Sydney for a child's treatment and bring other children who are of compulsory school age.
Siblings may attend Sydney Children's Hospital School if deemed appropriate by the Principal. During this time students are a shared enrolment with their census school.
Each family context and situation will be taken into consideration and discussed with the Principal. The Principal will discuss with families, social workers and treating teams the best educational planning for each sibling.
Attendance at school by all school age children is compulsory and sibling enrolments would be expected to attend our school Monday to Friday for the full school day.
If you have a sibling who may require access to a SCHS or another local school, please contact the Principal of SCHS on 02 9399 7119.
