A HOSPITAL school that provides unique education to some of the most vulnerable children has officially opened new premises, fulfilling a decade-long dream for its headteacher.
Run by River Tees Multi-Academy Trust, the Hospital School has moved into refurbished buildings to expand and improve provision for young people with additional needs caused by their medical conditions.
River Tees Hospital School helps a growing number young people in the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire whose complex physical and mental health conditions prevent them from learning in a traditional education setting.
Guests were invited to the official opening and tour of the two-storey Sandringham House, on Overdale Road, Park End, Middlesbrough, following the £1.3m nine-month conversion of old council social services buildings by contractors Compass, project managed by Eddisons.
River Tees MAT Hospital School headteacher Adam Burns said: “I can’t believe the dream has finally become a reality. This marks not just the opening of our building, but the beginning of a journey, a journey that will shape the lives of all those pupils who walk through those doors for years to come.
“Our school is a reflection of our collective hopes and dreams. It is built on a foundation of dedication, passion and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.
“We are opening opportunities for each individual pupil to be their authentic selves in an environment where their curiosity will be nurtured and challenges will be faced with resilience.”
He said the school was a place pupils could be proud of. “They can now feel a sense of belonging,” he said. “This is a time to celebrate and reflect on the responsibility we all share in ensuring that this school continues to be a beacon of excellence and opportunity.”
Hospital School previously operated onsite provision in Park Lane, Middlesbrough, while also delivering education at James Cook University Hospital and at Acklam Road Hospital, a specialist in-patient adolescent mental health service.
A 30-strong staff currently helps around 100 pupils, plus a varying number of children who are admitted to James Cook University Hospital from across the region. Hospital School also works collaboratively with local mainstream schools to support and develop their in-house provision, including areas such as relational behaviour approach, mental health support and personalised approaches to learning.
Sandringham House has been reconfigured to provide classrooms, a science laboratory, gymnasium, food technology suite and life skills space, with plenty of outdoor learning areas for pupils.
It is also providing a temporary home on the ground floor to pupils attending River Tees Academy Grangetown until its new school is completed in 2026.
River Tees MAT chief executive Christina Jones said: “It is fantastic to see all the hard work result in a great school where we can change the lives of more young people. Staff have done a great job at designing the perfect environment to work in.”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Pat Cambage added: “This new facility is so impressive and puts children, their parents and our staff in a good place. Environment is so important and everyone is very happy with the new facilities.”
Trustee Sara Davidson added: “It is absolutely amazing. They have done a brilliant job and created a school of which they can be very proud.”
Facilities have been boosted further thanks to an £80,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity with a focus on research and education. The windfall has helped to equip vocational classrooms.
The Wolfson Foundation aims to support civil society by investing in projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts. Since it was established in 1955, around £1bn has been awarded to more than 14,000 projects throughout the UK.
Mrs Jones said they were very grateful for the funding adding: “We are always looking for support and would be delighted to hear from any employers who would like to help us in the future as part of their corporate social responsibility policies.”
Anyone wanting to help sustain the regional facility should contact the school at trust@rtmat.org.uk.
