Shepwell Discover aims to support children ages 5-16, who are unable to access education due to short term medical needs.  Discover offers a 6 week placement, FREE of charge to children living in a Walsall postcode, offering accessible and inclusive online education pathways. 

We understand how isolated children can feel when they are away from school and their peer groups. Therefore Discover aims to reduce isolation during periods of absence from school, by educating children in key stage class groups, encouraging social interaction and collaborative learning. 

Our staff are highly experienced in working with children who are vulnerable due to their medical needs. The service prides itself on a child centred approach, which ensures that they are offered a suitable education package supported by their mainstream/home school.

Our relationships with our mainstream counterparts is vital to the success of the service and the education we provide young people whilst they are in our care.  Referrals to the service are reviewed on a case by case basis, dependent on capacity and medical need.

We always endeavour to begin teaching a pupil as soon as possible, capacity allowing, once the referral has been accepted.  An initial meeting and first assessment are carried out our team to get to know the child and meet the parents/carers. 

Where necessary, we can work with families, schools and external agencies to support in the transition of pupils back into school. 

Our Discover Pathway also works with children admitted to Walsall Manor Hospital, aged 4 to 16. These children are patients that are generally short stay with many of them there for only one or two days.  The intent of the staff at Shepwell School is to provide them with rich learning experiences while also considering both their health and mental wellbeing.  We aim to engage and inspire each pupil using a variety of strategies and resources.

Teaching is 1:1 and usually at the bedside with the parents often actively taking part.  As skilled teachers, we are able to assess the needs of the pupils quickly and identify gaps in learning, thus allowing the pupils to make progress. 

We teach and support pupils with a wide range of abilities from students with profound learning needs to more academically able students.  As a result, our curriculum is flexible in order to meet the wide-ranging needs and education goals of each pupil.

Lessons usually last between 20 and 60 minutes, dependent on each pupil and the number of children available for teaching that day.  We also work with students with mental health needs and have received additional resources to be able to support these students effectively.