It’s important for heart children to feel as normal as possible during what might be a protracted stay in hospital. One way to do this is to provide them with schooling, so that older ones don’t feel they’re falling behind, and younger ones get to enjoy learning through play, like any other child their age.

The Evelina School is open to children who are staying in hospital and, depending on availability, their siblings as well. Teaching takes place in the main atrium school for those well enough to leave their ward, and lessons are from 10am until noon, with a break for lunch, then 1.30pm until 3pm.

The space is divided into two, with the Sun classroom for children in the Early Years and Foundation Stage, plus Key Stages 1 & 2, and the Moon classroom for young people in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

Teaching may be individualised to follow the home school curriculum or pupils may be working on tasks together as a whole class or in smaller groups.

The school can provide bedside tuition for those children unable to leave their ward – these are generally shorter sessions of between 25-45 minutes and are tailor-made to suit the needs of the individual child.

More information at www.evelina.southwark.sch.uk

Want to see what the school is like? Watch this Evelina London video.