How we work

How we work

Northern Health School is a Ministry of Education funded school set up with the aim of maintaining the education of students who are unable to attend their regular school due to their high health needs.

We have two tasks

  • Support student learning
  • Assist students to return to their regular school as their health allows

We work in a number of ways

  • If the student is in hospital, a Northern Health School teacher will visit them on the ward in hospital.
  • We have community support centres (classrooms) where students can attend.
  • Teachers may also arrange to meet students for their lesson at a public place, for example at a local library.
  • If the student is too unwell to leave home, the Northern Health School teacher will visit the student at home.

Individual learning plan

The Northern Health School teacher will develop an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) guided by the students regular school, making it easier for them when they return. We also assist secondary age students to continue with their NCEA courses. For those students likely to be away from school for a lengthy period, we can provide special subjects through Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Correspondence School). Work can be supplied by the Northern Health School teachers, school of enrolment or Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu. Most students work on a reduced curriculum load.

Work can be supplied by the Northern Health School teachers, school of enrolment or Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu. Most students work on a reduced curriculum load.

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (the correspondence school)

In some cases, Northern Health School teachers may access Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu resources and programmes if this is seen to be in the best interests of an individual student. If it is decided to access Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu, we continue to work closely with the student’s regular school to ensure continuity of the education programme.

Northern Health School is not an alternative to enrolment in a regular school and should not be considered as a pathway to Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The Correspondence School).