https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/press-releases/childrens-hospital-school-gosh-and-uch-celebrates-outstanding-ofsted-report/

The Children's Hospital School at GOSH and UCH celebrates outstanding OFSTED report

19 Mar 2014, 11:19 a.m.

Hospital School - Back of two children playing game on paper

Teachers, students and parents at The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London (UCH) are celebrating after the school was rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED this week, following an inspection in February.

This is the third consecutive ‘outstanding’ rating for the school, which also achieved top marks at inspections in 2009 and 2006.

The Children’s Hospital School is one of the most remarkable in the UK, with teachers facing the unique challenge of educating more than 1,000 students over the course of the academic year in school rooms and on wards at GOSH and UCH.

The school’s students come from across the UK and have a wide variety of complex medical conditions for which they may spend long, short or recurring periods in hospital. Teachers work closely with student's home schools to ensure continuity in their education.

The report praised teachers for their enthusiasm and the high standards they set for all their students, providing “creative and challenging learning opportunities that meet the needs of every student”. Inspectors were impressed by the school’s innovative use of technology to overcome the practical challenges of teaching in a hospital, including using video links and digitally recorded work to ensure students on isolation wards are included in lessons and activities.

There was also high praise for the achievements and behaviour of students, with the report noting that they make outstanding progress and highlighting their “excellent attitudes towards learning, even when they are uncomfortable or in some pain".

Head Teacher Jayne Franklin, who has led the school since September 2011, said: “We’re delighted that The Children’s Hospital School has again been rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED. This fantastic achievement recognises our ongoing hard work to keep improving our school, and is a reflection of the time and support given by everyone connected with the school and the hospital."

The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London is a Foundation Special School and is part of Camden Local Education Authority. Find out more at www.gosh.nhs.uk/the-childrens-hospital-school

The full OFSTED report is available at www.ofsted.gov.uk

Contact Information

For further information please contact the Rachel Pilkington on 020 7239 3185 or email rachel.pilkington@gosh.org
For genuine and urgent out-of-hours queries call switchboard on 020 7405 9200.

Notes to Editors

About The Children’s Hospital School

The Children’s Hospital School at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College Hospital aims to provide an enriching and enjoyable experience for all our pupils which ensures normality through education and helps to prevent anxiety about school work. Where appropriate, the school will provide continuity of education within the framework of the National Curriculum. Education is part of the overall treatment of the children and the School is an essential component of Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College Hospital's facilities.

About Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is the country’s leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof. With the UCL Institute of Child Health, we are the largest centre for paediatric research outside North America and play a key role in training children’s health specialists for the future.