Magazine articles list

60 seconds with Gail Beaumont

Gail Beaumont, a dedicated hospital teacher at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, shares insights into her unique role in providing education and support to young patients during their hospital stays.

How robots are being used to support learning

Charlotte Bowling's daughter, Amelie, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in June 2019 aged six. Charlotte tells us about the support her daughter and her family received from her school, including an innovative way of ensuring Amelie was involved even when not physically present.

Ask the Expert: Emily Varley

Emily Varley, a school special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) based in Leicestershire

Medical advisor (issue 103)

Dr. Ren Manias, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Southampton General Hospital, explains that while a cancer diagnosis impacts a child's learning, various support options—including hospital schools, home tutoring, and remote learning—are available to help maintain educational continuity and emotional wellbeing during and after treatment.

Education after a childhood cancer diagnosis

Parents and carers of children who have been diagnosed with cancer often have many questions about school and education. Keeley McEvoy, Lead Assistant Headteacher of the Medical Needs Teaching Service working at Leeds Children’s Hospital, explains more about what to expect from hospital teaching, ongoing education support and transitioning back to school.

Educational support pathway after brain tumour treatment

Louise Robinson is a neuro-oncology outreach nurse specialist at East Midlands Children’s and Young Persons’ Integrated Cancer Service. Here, she emphasises the importance of collaboration and explains how a support pathway helps young patients with their education.

Delivering packaged drugs into paediatric brain tumours using ultrasound

Diffuse midline glioma is a devastating brain tumour, affecting primarily young children. There’s currently no cure for this disease and treatment options are limited. This is mainly because this type of tumour is well-protected from drugs by the ‘blood-brain barrier’. This barrier physically blocks all medications from entering the brain. Our group has developed new methods of bypassing this barrier using focused ultrasound.

Why working together is so important

Naomi Duxbury’s daughter, Mia, was aged four when diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September 2021. Here, she tells us about the importance of working closely with Mia’s school to create a safe, supportive and ‘normal’ learning environment for her.

"The first day back at school was scary, but exciting"

Lily Morris was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2022 aged 15. Now 16, she tells us about its impact on her GCSE preparations, and the support she’s received from her school and friends as she transitioned back into full-time education.