Comment

Teacher Veronica Buttigieg with Katie Want, 13, and Beth Chambers, 14

POORLY children are keeping on top of their education thanks to a hospital teacher.

Veronica Buttigieg does her rounds on the children's ward at Basildon Hospital every morning.

The youngsters probably thought a stay in hospital would get them out of school work, but as Mrs Buttigieg finds, many of them end up enjoying the classes.

She said: "The emphasis is very much on making school fun.

"Every single day is different, I teach anybody aged from four up to about 17, with all kinds of illnesses ranging from abdominal pain and broken bones, to children suffering from cancer and cystic fibrosis.

"I start off by asking them if there is anything they have been doing at school, such as coursework or a certain project, and I always ask if there is anything they have done they haven't understood.

"Being in a small group they haven't got to worry about making a fool out of themselves."

The teacher, paid for by Essex County Council, visits every day during term time, ensuring every child, no matter how ill, is given the chance to learn. Nine-year-old Ricky Coggin from Stifford Clays, who stayed on the Wagtail ward due to problems with his asthma, is one pupil who enjoys the classes.

Ricky said: "I think its fun and exciting. I wish I could go to school here every day."

Fellow patient Katie Want, 13, from Laindon, agreed. She said: "It's good here, the teachers are really nice."

Katie's mum Keely added: "I was surprised when the teachers came round because I thought it would only be for long-term patients and Katie has only been here for 11 days.

"But I think it's better it is for all children, because it can be very boring in here and it helps them to deal with all the waiting around."

While lessons at school can be disrupted by unruly pupils, a fire drill or break time - in hospital lessons stop for medication, check-ups and even surgery.

Mrs Buttigieg said: "We squash eight people around the table and when the nurses have to come in to do their observations or take temperatures, it means there is a lot of getting up and climbing over each other."

Lessons are mainly conducted in the hospital classroom, but Mrs Buttigieg, or her assistant Kim Steel, can visit children on their ward if they are unable to leave their beds.

The classes offered at the hospital are not simple school refreshers, some students have been sitting their GCSEs, although the exam board must give its permission and arrange for the exam papers to be delivered.

Mrs Buttigieg, who has taught for 26 years at schools across south Essex including Furtherwick Park, Canvey, St Bernards, Westcliff, and Shoeburyness High School, began her job on the wards 18 months ago.

Her class differs from day to day and she has to get to know her pupils very quickly at what can be a very frightening time for many of them.

But, despite those circumstances, she enjoys the job and admits to getting quite attached to some of the children.

She said: "I like the variety and the challenge of teaching here, you never know what to expect.

"I do get attached to the children, but if they're leaving us because they're well, then that's lovely."

1:09am Wednesday 18th June 2008

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login