About Us

What is The Northern Health School?

The Northern Health School is one of three state schools set up by the Ministry of Education to provide educational support for children with high health needs. We cover the northern part of the North Island with regionally based staff made up of both primary and secondary trained teachers who work in hospitals and in the community. Click on the "Our staff and where we are based" link to the left for a map which shows our area. For contact information click here.

For contact information if you are outside our area, click on these links to our two sister schools; The Central Regional Health School ( http://www.centralregionalhealth.school.nz )and the Southern Regional Health School ( http://www.srhs.school.nz. ) .

Who is eligible for Northern Health School service?

We cater for children from year 1-13 who have been, or are expected to have significant absence from their regular school due to illness. Children will need a specialist's medical certificate in order to qualify and will usually be enrolled in a New Zealand primary or secondary school. They remain on the roll of their regular school while they are working with our staff who will then assist with the transition back to their regular school, as their medical situation improves.

How does the service work?

One of our staff will discuss your child's case with you, to make sure that they meet the Ministry requirements for our service. If they do, then they are admitted to our roll and an ILP (Individual Learning Plan) is developed by us in consultation with parents, the school of origin, medical teams and any other relevant people. Once in place, the ILP becomes the basis for the child's educational programme which will be implemented according to the needs of the student.

What we do.

Assess the educational needs of students.

Provide an educational programme tailored to meet these needs.

Support the programme through regular contact using, home visits, classroom or bedside teaching, post, fax, email and phone calls.

Coordinate and liaise between students, parents, their regular school and any other services involved with the student.

Assist the student to return to their regular school when they are able.