Overview

Head Teacher's Introduction

I hope that you find the site a useful source of information about our role in providing education for pupils who are unable to attend school for medical reasons.  My name is Beverley Williamson and I am the Headteacher at STARS.

In 2018 STARS acheived an 'outstanding' grade in our OFSTED inspection, however I will continue to build on these achievements to ensure that the pupils who attend STARS are provided with the very best education.

Should you wish to find out any more information, please email or telephone the school using the details on our contact page and a member of staff will deal with your enquiry.

Beverley Williamson
Head Teacher

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. Pupils who are Sutton residents and who are unable to attend school for medical reasons can be referred, by their school, to STARS for tuition. Pupils remain dual registered with their school, with the aim to re-integrate back into mainstream as soon as possible. STARS works closely with schools to ensure continuity of education.

Tuition

Following an agreed referral, pupils and their families are visited at home by the Deputy Headteacher usually together with the STARS Senior Social Worker. At this meeting a plan for the pupil’s education is agreed with the parents/carers.

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 additional choices from subjects including Cookery and Sports. Included in the timetable are PSHE and a comprehensive enrichment programme, which covers sporting and outdoor activities, cooking, and philosophy. We also try to accommodate other GCSEs such as languages.

Teaching is normally in small groups. However for those pupils who are unable to access groups at the centre, we offer a reduced programme of study focusing on English, Science and Maths usually thorugh an online provider. 

In addition to GCSEs: we can offer other recognised qualifications such as thorugh NCFE. The awards are used in the option subjects as they encourage motivation and provide opportunity for pupils to build up a portfolio showing the skills, knowledge and experience they have gained.

Hospitals

Royal Marsden Hospital

STARS has a schoolroom on the McElwain Ward at the Royal Marsden Hospital, but can also provide bedside tuition if necessary. We teach all patients, whether they are in-patients on the ward or receiving treatment as an out-patient. We are not able to teach siblings of patients. We work closely with hospital staff, local authorities, and classroom teachers in order to ensure that pupils are successfully reintegrated into school and supported to achieve their full potential as far as their illness allows.

For pupils on the McElwain Ward, we provide fun and creative learning activities that give pupils the opportunity to make progress in core curriculum subjects. The day usually begins with a practical starter activity, followed by individual lessons in English and / or Maths, and then an afternoon activity that is based on our current topic. We often have visitors from museums, galleries and other organisations such as the Police or Fire Service.

Older pupils (year 10 and above) have the opportunity to attend creative workshop sessions on the TCT Ward, and are also offered one-to-one tuition in core curriculum subjects, as well as support in other subjects. If necessary, we can arrange for pupils to sit exams at the Royal Marsden Hospital. We host the annual YAAs (Youth Achievement Awards) in partnership with CLIC Sargent social workers, which celebrate the achievements made by our older pupils 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.