Overview

Overview of Sutton Tuition and Reintegration Service (STARS)

Sutton Tuition and Reintegration Service (STARS) provides education for school age pupils (5-16yrs) who have medical needs which prevents their attendance in mainstream school. Mainstream schools can identify pupils who are Sutton residents and who are unable to attend school for medical reasons. These pupils can be referred, by their school, to STARS for tuition. Pupils remain dual registered with their school throughout the 12-week intervention. The service is based at the Drapers Centre, where we provide 15 hours of education for pupils referred to KS3 and 4. We then support pupils to attend their mainstream school for up to 10 hours per week. STARS works closely with schools to ensure continuity of education and pupils are required to wear their mainstream uniform when at STARS.

Tuition

Following an agreed referral a meeting is arranged at the referring school with pupils and their families.  At this meeting, a plan for the pupil’s education including reintegration is agreed with the parents/carers and school.

Wherever possible the aim is to reintegrate pupils into mainstream provision, either into a school, or into post-16 provision. We work closely with other agencies such as: the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS); Sutton Borough School Attendance Service (BSAS) as well as local schools, colleges and training centres. This multi-agency approach enables us to provide the best education to meet the needs of all our pupils.

 
Drapers Centre

Tuition at STARS for KS3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) and KS4 (Years 10-11) is provided at the Drapers’ Centre in Carshalton. Whilst at the Drapers’ Centre, pupils are offered a GCSE programme of study in English, Maths and Science with PSHE. Teaching is normally in small groups. 

Hospitals

Royal Marsden Hospital

STARS has a Schoolroom on the McElwain Ward at The Royal Marsden Hospital which provides a safe, nurturing and stimulating learning environment for all children and young people who are currently receiving treatment, including those attending the Teenage Cancer Trust Ward. We work with all pupils between Reception and Year 13 and offer support to both inpatients and outpatients.  We also offer bedside teaching for any pupils who are too unwell to attend the Schoolroom or are required to stay in isolation.  We work closely with hospital staff, local authorities, and Home Schools to ensure that pupils are supported to achieve their full potential as far as their illness allows.

The teaching team aim to ensure that all pupils have access to a tailored, high quality and enjoyable education with varied learning opportunities consistent with the National Curriculum.  We also arrange for regular curriculum enrichment opportunities from various visitors including sports coaches, artists, musicians and museum experts.  We aim to provide normality through education, to prevent anxiety about schoolwork, maintain progress and foster positive social interactions with peers to feel a sense of belonging during their time in the hospital. If necessary, we can arrange for pupils to sit exams at the Royal Marsden Hospital. 

Queen Mary's Hospital for Children

We offer one-to-one bedside tuition to patients who have been diagnosed with a medical condition that will cause them to miss at least fifteen days of school per year. Tutors focus on Maths and English, but can sometimes offer tuition in other subjects if required, depending on their specialist subject(s). Tuition is offered to patients three times per week, and extra independent study can be set if appropriate.