School Information

Ellern Mede School is a provider of alternative education for young people between the ages of 8 and 18 years. We aim to maintain the learning of children and young people who are long-stay or short-stay patients in our hospitals, or those from the community who may currently be unwell or suffering from school phobia, anxiety and depression. Prospective students may currently not be attending school, or be in danger of failed attendance at mainstream school.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of students.

We provide:

• a stimulating, caring, therapeutic, calm and secure environment
• an education service working in partnership with local authorities, homeschool, medical, clinical or social care teams and parents
• an education service which is consistent with the experiences of young people in a mainstream school

All our students agree to the following conditions:

• acknowledge the need for help and support
• desire to get well and participate in the education and health programme
• desire to learn and make academic progress
• behave with respect and consideration in the hospital and school community

The Ellern Mede education mix supports return to mainstream education, employment or training:

• a challenging and therapeutic, goal-focused academic environment
• a personalised, balanced curriculum matching mainstream education
• clinical team and therapies
• living skills and learning strategies to build resilience and independence
• short, medium and long-term educational aims
• regular feedback on progress against objectives
• close partnership working with all agencies supporting the learner
• personalised career guidance
• realistic transition planning
• statutory assessment for Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)

Bringing therapeutic education to vulnerable young people

Disruption to education owing to illness is a major issue throughout the world. Months of lost education can have a knock-on effect on a young person’s education. What starts with falling behind can go on and lead to dropping out, with the possibility of a destructive cycle that will damage that young person’s prospects for mental, physical and educational progress.

Ellern Mede School’s teaching team are highly specialised in therapeutic education. The close working relationship the team has with the multi-disciplinary medical and mental health teams within Ellern Mede Services is now available to a wider cohort of young people.

The curriculum includes English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Music, Drama, Spanish, French and German for young people aged from 8 to 18 and who are studying up to GCSE or A Level. Student engagement is promoted through an Inclusion Lead who also helps with student needs assessments and identifying opportunities for student development.

We have access to Ellern Mede Services clinical staff who cover disciplines including psychiatry, clinical psychology, dietetics, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, family therapy, art therapy, independent advocacy, and therapeutic activity. Externally and on the educational front, we work with educators, social workers, hospital and community medical teams, case managers and funders. These connections extend across a range of local authorities and government or independent organisations.

Together, there is so much we can do to improve the prospects for hundreds of young people who have massive potential provided they receive the right environment for education during a time of illness. To find out more please contact headmaster, Adel Shirbini.

Download our School Information Guide here