Hospital Classroom The main aim of the Vall d’Hebron Hospital Classroom is to promote comprehensive development, provide continuity in learning while in hospital and facilitate the return to school once the child or adolescent is discharged. The teaching team is made up of five primary and secondary school teachers who, through their diverse specialisms and skills, cover all the curriculum areas with their teaching. Hospital Classroom pupils are children and teenagers who have been admitted to hospital on a medium or long-term basis during compulsory school age (primary education and compulsory secondary education). Classes are run daily and on an individual basis in ward rooms, in small groups in the classroom or in the dialysis department. School calendar The school calendar of the Hospital Classroom follows the general directives of Departament d'Educació, Consorci d'Educació de Barcelona and Departament de Treball, Afers Socials i Famílies. Hospital Classroom activities The pupils’ schools set the directives for the Hospital Classroom teachers to follow, based on the official curriculum of the Departament d’Educació de la Generalitat de Catalunya. In addition, the Hospital Classroom organises a variety of activities to bring the Classroom to children and adolescents admitted to the Hospital. Festivals and traditions Festivals and traditions are celebrated in the Hospital Classroom with the aim of doing some of the same activities that are carried out in schools over the school year and that play a part in pupils' overall educational experience. These include the Castanyada chestnut festival and Dia de la Música (Music Day), Winter and Christmas, Spring and Sant Jordi, Dia de la Pau (School Day of Non-violence and Peace) and Carnival. Music Music forms part of the Hospital Classroom's educational activity, with the aim of incorporating it into the pupils' curriculum, but also as an enjoyable activity that can help with the emotional work pupils need. Volunteers from the Association of the Maria Canals International Music Competition contribute to this task. Road safety education The La Guàrdia Urbana a l'escola (Urban Police in Schools) education programme also takes place in the Hospital Classroom, with the aim of responding to social issues and improving everyone's ability to live side by side, as well as preventing high risk behaviour through education. The teaching is adapted to the unique experience of pupils in the Hospital Classroom. The Classroom within the Hospital The Hospital Classroom works alongside Vall d'Hebron Hospital in educational activities that can contribute to the education of pupils in topics related to health through inter-disciplinary learning. Connectem Project This project fosters relationships between hospitalised pupils. The main aim is to facilitate relationships between pupils through various activities conducted by the Hospital Classroom. #PorElCLIMA project We form part of the #PorElCLIMA community, an initiative that aims to fight against climatic change. As a transversal project, the students in the Classroom works on aspects related to this as an important motif for their present and future. Go to the project's website FAQS Is it compulsory for children and teenagers to attend classes when they're in the Hospital? We are a voluntary service. Nevertheless, it is a good way of ensuring continuity in the learning process, as everyone has the right to education. Are the same subjects covered as at school? Once the child or adolescent is admitted, the Hospital Classroom teachers coordinate with the school teaching staff. Each school makes the necessary adaptations to personalise the pupils’ studies. Do we need to bring school materials in? It is not necessary, as the Hospital Classroom provides the materials. Nevertheless, if the pupil works with textbooks, they should be brought to the hospital. If the school works with digital platforms and the pupil has a laptop, we also recommend bringing it, although we have them in the classroom as well. How much class time is there at the Hospital? Are there any exams? The time spent in the Classroom depends on the patient’s health, the teachers’ availability and the number of pupils. Pupils take exams whenever the school considers them necessary. Can a pupil's siblings take part in classes? The Classroom operating rules do not consider this possibility, as there are not enough teachers or space. Does the Classroom accept pupils who are in Hospital only a few days a week? What about Day Hospital? The Classroom can attend to short-stay pupils, depending on the availability of the teachers and number of pupils. However, teachers are not authorised to work with pupils in the Day Hospital. How can I become a teacher at the Hospital Classroom? The interested party should contact only the Consorci d’Educació de Barcelona. Home Education Service When the pupil is discharged, but still unable to return to school, the Departament d'Educació provides the Home Education Service (Atenció Educativa Domiciliària - AED). The initiative supplies a teacher to work with the pupil in the home when their illness is expected to last for more than 30 days. The family should apply for the service, which will be arranged by the school.