Admissions & Referrals

River Tees Hospital School provides education for children and young people who are hospital inpatients, those unable to return to their mainstream or special schools, and pupils who cannot attend school due to medical needs. Our placements are typically temporary and time-limited, with the goal of facilitating a smooth return to mainstream, specialist, or post-16 educational settings.

Throughout the academic year, we receive numerous requests for admission across all year groups. Referrals are assessed by the Local Authority Triage Panel in collaboration with the Head Teacher or member of the Hospital School Senior Leadership Team.

Placement decisions are based on the availability of current spaces and the supporting medical documentation provided by healthcare professionals.

Given the complex needs of our pupils, referrals for those excluded or at risk of exclusion due to behaviours that challenge should be directed to alternative agencies rather than River Tees Hospital School.

Our provision is designed for pupils who are medically unfit to attend school, including those with physical illnesses, injuries, or mental health challenges. We pay particular attention to students suffering from medically diagnosed mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and school phobia, including separation anxiety and school refusal linked to clinical depression.

It is crucial that a referral to Hospital School is part of an integrated support plan, developed collaboratively by all involved professionals, with clear goals for the pupil’s return to school or alternative educational provision.

Acceptance of referrals is contingent upon the pupil meeting our referral criteria. If a placement is not utilised or deemed inappropriate, it will be closed, and both the referrers and the home school will be notified.

‘They assess the gaps in pupils’ prior learning accurately and plan an ambitious bespoke curriculum so that pupils can catch up quickly. Teachers use a wide range of strategies to engage pupils in their learning’ Ofsted July 2024

Referral Form Middlesbrough

Referral Form Redcar & Cleveland