Wirral Home Education Service
Wirral Home and Continuing Education Service is an Alternative Provision providing temporary education for young people who have health needs, which stop them attending their own schools. The aim is to help children and young people in their next steps of their journey.
Our team comprises a dedicated and seasoned group of primary and secondary teachers who bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to their roles. In addition to our proficient teaching faculty, we have a fantastic support system in place with teaching assistants and learning mentors.
Our Home Ed team specialises in providing short-term education for young individuals facing challenges attending their regular schools due to medical and/or mental health needs. The ultimate goal of our service is to empower these students to access as much education as possible and facilitate their smooth transition back to their original school or integration into a new educational environment.
Meet Jolene
Jolene is a gentle and empathetic presence dedicated to supporting and uplifting the well-being of the children we serve. With a warm and friendly demeanor, Jolene effortlessly fosters a sense of comfort and reassurance among our pupils.
Jolene is not just a therapy dog; she is a cherished member of our team, helping to create a nurturing environment where children feel understood and cared for. Whether through gentle interactions, quiet companionship, or engaging play, Jolene plays a vital role in enhancing the overall emotional and mental health of the children she interacts with.
Our Teaching Spaces
Whilst some pupils are educated at home on a 1:1 basis, the service encourages its pupils to attend individual or small group lessons at the Home Education Base in Pilgrim Street. Pupils who meet others and socialise with are often in a stronger position for achieving their goals. If a pupil is at home for their education, we ensure that they are given opportunities appropriate for them, and support them in examinations at home, if that is necessary. A few pupils each year take the step to leave their homes and be taught with the same teacher on a 1:1 in the Base - teaching in the Base does not need to be in groups.
In the Base in Pilgrim Street, we have an area that pupils can come and relax, this is called The Nest. We have couches to relax on, mindfulness activities, games, a café to have drinks and a large outside area that people can play ball games.
Pupils at all Key Stages are welcomed by the Home Education team. The Service offers the core subjects of Maths, English and Science at varying levels, and other subjects of Animal Care, Art, Humanities and ICT at levels to suit the students. These subjects can be studied to GCSE level or in some subjects Functional Skills levels.
Each Wednesday afternoon we offer pupils chance to join our Enrichment group. The purpose of these sessions is to give our learners the opportunities to get out in the local area and to give them experiences that they would not usually get in the Base or in their homes. Activities can range from Crazy Golf through to Geo Caching, going across to Liverpool on the ferry or going to play Lazer Quest of bowling. At the end of the year, we have traditionally had a BBQ at Wirral Country Park.
Our Curriculum
At Wirral Home and Continuing Education Service we seek to provide a bespoke curriculum which builds on prior learning. Support will be offered to students throughout their journey with us to ensure that relevant content is covered as appropriate for the learner.
Admissions
The national guidance asks for dual referral which consists of some medical supportive evidence from an appropriate medical practitioner and a school referral. There is a panel every other month when referrals are looked at. All new educational packages start with a home visit. Pupils remain on the roll of their own school.
The first 12 weeks of tuition are paid for by the services’ budget after that the school pay for the pupil’s place.
Our Policies
To view our policies and guidance documents click the button below.
Contact
Julie Hudson
Manager ; Home and Continuing Education Service and Medical Physical Needs Team
Email: juliehudson@wirral.gov.uk