If a child is ill for several weeks, they may be referred to Belfast Hospital School where the teaching staff will follow the subject syllabuses to promote as much continuity as possible.  The hospital teacher will contact you for support with individual pupils. It would be helpful if mainstream teachers could provide:

• specific guidance on topic areas you wish to be covered
• relevant textbooks and resources
• examination details (tier, Board, dates etc.)
• coursework details and deadlines
• login and password details for the school's VLE (where appropriate)
• the name of the designated teacher (Primary - class teacher, Secondary - Year Head)

The hospital teacher may wish to arrange a meeting with the subject or class teacher to facilitate planning. This meeting will give you and the Hospital School teacher the opportunity to get to know each other and arrangements can be made to help you keep in touch with the ill child.  It enhances the pupil's performance if work details are received as soon as possible after initial contact.

Many children experience some difficulty integrating back into mainstream school after a prolonged period in hospital or on home tuition.  In order to ensure that the transition for these pupils is as smooth as possible, staff at Belfast Hospital School may be able to help in a practical way such as:

• accompanying the child back to school
• continued tuition by the hospital teacher in the child's school for a short period
• facilitating a staggered return to school (part-time home tuition)