Education

During treatment

It probably isn't top of your list of 'things to do whilst being treated for cancer', but it's a good idea to keep up with your education as much as possible. Obviously, there might be times when you're too poorly, but after your first round of treatment you may want to try and get back into familiar things – like your studies.

Your care professional (nurse, youth people's worker, or social worker) should be able to offer you help. They will work with you and your form tutor or head of year to arrange schoolwork for you to do in hospital or home, and to make sure you get the support you need when you return. If you like, they can also go into your school or college to talk to your teachers and let them know what they can do to help you.

There are also some other things worth knowing when it comes to keeping up with your studies.

Hospital teachers

Some hospitals employ a hospital teacher who can help you with schoolwork whilst you are in hospital. They will encourage you to do as much as possible, but won't force you to do anything you don't feel up to.

If you are at an important stage in your education, you may want to try and do a small amount of work every day (if you can). Doing this can help you from falling too far behind overall.

At home

If you are under 16 and off school but not in hospital, it should be possible for you to get home tuition. Depending on where you live, you may be offered online learning. The home tutor will be able to concentrate on your main subjects, and will need a quiet space to work in. Contact (or get your parent or care professional to contact) your Local Authority about this.

What about returning to school?

Returning to school or college can be both exciting and let's face it – a bit scary. After all, loads of things will have happened since you were poorly. You may get tired more quickly or not be able to move around as easily. What if everyone's forgotten about you? What if they tease you because you look a bit different? It's natural for your confidence to have taken a bit of a knock.

There are things that can make going back a bit easier.

• Visit school/college as often as you can – even if it’s only for a few lessons or even for lunch. This will make coming back a lot easier
• Remember that you don't have to talk about your illness if you don't want to
• Ask a friend to walk with you and stay with you on your first day back
• Go back in stages – a few hours a day at first will stop it being such a big shock!
• Let your form teacher or head of year know if you will be wearing a hat or bandana 
• Talk to your care professional about any worries you might have - they can help you find the best way to cope with going back

We have a number of leaflets for teachers about how to welcome children with cancer back to school. Perhaps you or your parents or young people's worker can tell your school about them.  They can be found in the Publications and Resources section of the CLIC Sargent website..

Got exams coming up?

If you are on treatment you may be entitled to some changes to the way you take your GCSE or A’ level exams. These may include:

• 25% extra time in exams
• Use of a laptop or specialist equipment if necessary
• Someone to read or write for you 
• Use of a separate room for the exam
• Rest breaks

If you are unwell during the exam period and this affects your performance, your GP or consultant may be able to give you a letter of special consideration. The exam board will then decide if it is possible to adjust your marks to take your situation into account.

Watch Keeping Up - our new film to help you prepare for going back to school or college.