Warwickshire Flexible Learning
Team
Schools Information
Pack
The Flexible Learning Team offers support for Vulnerable
Learners who are unable to attend school, as defined by
a medical practitioner
Checklist
1. Refer to the county policy for children with health
needs
2. Arrange for a member of staff to act as the named
school contact & coordinate education for the
student – e.g. SENCo/Form Tutor/Head of Year etc
3. Discuss needs of student with parents
4. Discuss student’s situation with ACE
attendance/School/Health Advisor
5. Request work from subject staff
6. Make arrangements in school for the setting,
marking, delivery and collection of work
7. Refer student to the Flexible Learning Team, as
soon as possible (where absence through illness is
likely to last more than 15 days or persists
intermittently)
8. Keep other school staff informed of developments
KEEP IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH STUDENT AND PARENTS
The following advice refers to students who are unable to attend school because of
ill-health. This includes students and young people with mental health difficulties as
well as those with physical health problems. This advice does not refer to students
who are out of school for other reasons. Please contact the Ill Health Team
Lead, Jane Halliday, to discuss accessing support in other cases.
Q. Who has responsibility for the education of a student absent
from school because of ill health?
A school retains responsibility for student’s education for as long as the student remains on roll. A
school must not take a student off the school register without the consent of the parents
and prior consultation with relevant LA officers, even after long absences arising from ill
health. Some students may be too unwell to do any schoolwork, but schools should not assume
that students absent from school due to ill health are unable to work.
Q. What does the
school need to do
when a student
begins absence?
The school should ensure that all non-attendance related
to ill health is properly authorised and monitored by a
relevant medical practitioner and that advice and
assistance is sought as appropriate from the School Health
Service and/or ACE attendance team.
Q. Who in school should be responsible for
organising work for a student unable to attend
due to ill health in the early stages of the
absence?
Schools should arrange to nominate a teacher to co-ordinate educational provision for each student
unable to attend school. Providing education will involve sending work home during the first fifteen
days of absence. The range and amount of work should be discussed between the school and the
parents taking into account the principles of good practice outlined in the policy document “Ensuring
a good education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs” (DfES 2013).
Schools are not expected to provide home-based teaching.
Q. What does the
nominated
teacher need
to do?
The nominated teacher should consider the possibility of
providing education when a student is absent for regular short
periods or when they have been absent for two weeks or more.
He or she should contact parents to discuss the student’s
needs and to consider whether it would be appropriate for any
member of the school to visit home or hospital.
Q. What will school staff need to do regarding work for the
absent student?
The student will need a suitable programme of work provided by class or subject
teachers and arrangements will need to be made for the regular setting, marking and
collection of work. It is the school’s responsibility to ensure work is delivered home or to
arrange collection with parents. The nominated teacher should keep all relevant school
staff informed of any developments and make sure they are clear about their
responsibilities. It is essential that work is provided quickly and regularly so that the
absent student is able to make progress and does not feel isolated and forgotten.
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SCHOOLS INFORMATION PACK
It is very important that students have all the information they
need for coursework deadlines, mock exams and final exam
timetables. The Flexible Learning Team cannot act as an exam
centre and this remains the responsibility of the school.
Q. What happens when the student is ready to go back to school?
A reintegration package is agreed between parents, school and other involved agencies,
at a reintegration planning meeting. When planning the reintegration meeting with
students and parents, schools should identify:


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A key point of contact for the student, so that progress can be monitored :
Any concerns, or outstanding medical issues.
Key staff to include in the meeting.
Issues related to any work missed so that the student’s educational needs are met.
Q. Who provides the necessary books and equipment?

In the early stages of the absence, before a request for The
Flexible Learning Team support is made, it is the school’s
responsibility to provide the resources necessary for the
Exam and coursework requirements.
teaching programmes.
Following referral all resources
necessary for the teaching programmes are provided either
by the referring school or by The Flexible Learning Team.
Where practical activities are involved, parents may be
asked to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of
materials.
Q. Where can I get more information?
You can contact the Flexible Learning Team directly using the information below:
Education & Learning
Oakfield Park
32 Bilton Road
Rugby
CV22 7AL
01926 742459
You can also contact us by clicking on the ‘Contact Us’ link on our website:
www.warwickshire-iht.org.uk
Q. What can I do if I am not happy with the service provided by
the Flexible Learning Team?
Contact The Flexible Learning Team Lead, Jane Halliday, at the above
address, or via e-mail: [email protected]