[senco-forum] child with leukaemia

Hi Lucy

  I have had experience with a boy who had a degenerative physical condition, got very tired and was prone to infections.  This is in a secondary school.
  I agree with what you've already said - take your lead from the parents, tell other pupils what's going on and be prepared for absences.
  We found that it helped to have lessons he had to go to, lessons he should go to and lessons which we used for other things like homework and rests.  Our boy would always be 'too tired' for maths given half a chance!  It sounds cruel to say this but most kids will try to get out of classes they don't like or find difficult so you need to know which lessons you can make him stay in even if he says he is a bit tired.  To balance this, give him more 'choice time' than other pupils.  Then you can say 'stay in maths for the next 20 minutes then you can have a rest.'  If you don't help him to build up his stamina by pushing him a little bit it will never develop.
  You'll soon know him well enough to be able to tell when he really needs a rest.  My lad died last year having stayed in school until six months before that and having had his last EOS lesson at home three days before his death.  Life Long Learning is alive in Cornwall.

  Good luck.

  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

lucy.jeffreys2 at ntlworld.com wrote:
  A boy with leukaemia has just joined our Year 1 class. He's missed a year of schooling and is obviously likely to have periods of absence. His treatment has just finished, for now.

I'm going to meet with Mum next week, with the class teacher. Has anyone any experience of what is the best and most supportive way to help the family - the best start being to be guided by them.

I'm aware of some of the guidance/legislation for education of sick children but want to do the best we can.

Many thanks. 

Lucy Jeffreys

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Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall