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To: Secretary of State for Education

Fund 16+ education in hospitals

Please fund education and support for 16 -19 age range whist they are in hospital and still in full time education.

Why is this important?

Recently my daughter had to spend 7 weeks in hospital, just before taking her AS level exams.

When she went into hospital she was in the paediatric ward and had access to their excellent full time school, 5 days a week. Due to her age she was transferred to the adult ward, in the same hospital, and she went from full time educational support to a 45 minute once a week session with a teacher, funded on a charitable basis. We had no idea that education is not funded for children aged 16 to 19 in full time education whilst they are in hospital. The government funds education for under 16 year olds in hospital, but once they turn 16 there is no funding.

It is hard enough studying for A levels when you are well, even more difficult when you are ill in hospital and impossible when you are offered next to no support.

The government encourage children to stay in full time education or training, but discriminate against those unfortunate enough to be hospitalised whilst in education, by not funding this essential service. Please support my petition to get the government to fund post 16 education in hospital.

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Updates

2015-09-18 12:03:25 +0100

100 signatures reached

2015-09-17 16:29:57 +0100

Dear 96 people,
Thank you for signing this petition. 4 more people to make us up to 100, but I think 96 is a good number.
I thought I'd update you on what has been going on. Unfortunately having spent 12 weeks, of her academic year, in hospital with inadequate education support, she failed two of her AS levels. Her school was unable to organise support that could fill the lack of education whilst she is in hospital, and there will be many more weeks in hospital next academic year. This was a challenge too far for her, so with regret she has decided not to continue with her education at this time.
The hospital and government department have not come up with anything useful, apart from sympathy. I am about to organise a meeting with my MP to see if he would be able do anything constructive for those children in my daughter's position, who are still struggling on with their A level education whilst in hospital. It may be over for Eleanor, but not for all those other 16+ children.

2015-06-29 09:06:52 +0100

50 signatures reached

2015-06-24 23:00:20 +0100

25 signatures reached

2015-06-24 17:00:15 +0100

10 signatures reached