School & College
School, College & Education
Living with a pituitary condition can sometimes present additional challenges in education. Fatigue, hormone replacement medication, regular medical appointments, symptoms of your condition or periods of illness can all affect attendance, concentration, homework, coursework, examinations and participation in school or college activities.
With the right understanding, planning and support, most children and young people living with a pituitary condition can participate fully in education.
Working with Your School or College
If your child has a pituitary condition, it is important to make the school aware of their condition and any additional needs they may have.
Good communication between parents or caregivers, the student and the school or college can help ensure that appropriate support is in place. Speak regularly with teachers, tutors and relevant members of staff so that they understand the student's individual needs and know what to do if they become unwell.
Where appropriate, an Individual Healthcare Plan or other agreed care plan can be developed with the school or college. This should provide clear information about the student's condition, medication, emergency procedures and any reasonable supports they may require.
For older students, it is important to involve them in discussions about their care and support wherever possible, helping them to develop confidence and independence in managing their condition.
Additional Support
Depending on the individual needs of the student, additional support or reasonable adjustments may be available. These could include:
Additional support in the classroom where appropriate.
Extra time or other reasonable adjustments during examinations or assessments.
Flexibility around homework, coursework or assignment deadlines during periods of illness.
Access to recorded lessons or lectures, where available, if the student is unable to attend.
Flexibility with attendance when medical appointments or periods of illness occur.
Appropriate arrangements for school trips, college activities and other outings.
Access to medication or emergency medication when required.
A designated member of staff who understands the student's condition and knows what to do in an emergency.
Consideration of part-time education or other flexible arrangements where full-time attendance is temporarily not appropriate.
If illness means that a student is unable to attend school or college, or complete work by a deadline, medical documentation may sometimes be helpful in explaining the circumstances.
The support required will vary from person to person. A student with a pituitary condition should not automatically be assumed to require additional assistance, but their individual circumstances and needs should be considered.
Planning a Meeting with the School or College
If your child has recently been diagnosed, is starting a new school, or is moving from primary to secondary education, it can be helpful to arrange a meeting before the new school year begins.
Where appropriate, consider inviting:
Parents or caregivers.
The student, where they are able and comfortable to participate.
The principal, year head, class teacher, tutor or other relevant members of staff.
The school's designated staff member responsible for supporting the student's healthcare needs.
Special education or learning support staff, where appropriate.
School or college staff who may need to respond in an emergency.
After-school or extracurricular activity staff who may be responsible for the student outside normal school hours.
A member of staff from the student's previous school, particularly when transitioning from primary to secondary education, if their knowledge of the student's needs would be helpful.
Before the meeting, speak with your endocrinologist, endocrine nurse specialist, GP or other healthcare professional about the student's condition and the care or emergency arrangements that may be required while they are at school or college.
It can also be helpful to prepare a simple written care plan containing important information about the student's condition, medication, emergency treatment and any specific instructions for school or college staff.
School & College Care Plan
A written healthcare or care plan can help ensure that everyone involved understands the student's individual needs.
The plan may include:
The student's pituitary condition and how it affects them.
Regular medications and when they need to be taken.
Any medication that may need to be administered during the school or college day.
Signs and symptoms that staff should be aware of.
What to do if the student becomes unwell.
Emergency medication and emergency procedures, where applicable.
Contact details for parents or caregivers.
Relevant contact details for the student's healthcare team, where appropriate.
Any additional information that staff need to know.
Arrangements for school trips, sports, activities and other situations outside the normal classroom environment.
It is important that relevant members of staff know where the care plan is kept and understand what they should do in an emergency.
The plan should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change in the student's condition, medication or circumstances.
A useful resource for schools
The nonprofit "organsation", "Pituitary Foundation", "UK pituitary patient charity" has developed a School Care Guide that may be useful for parents, students and education staff. It provides information to help school staff understand a student's condition, medication, emergency procedures and other support needs.
The guide can be used as a starting point when discussing a student's individual requirements with their school or college. Please remember that healthcare arrangements should be personalised to the individual and discussed with their healthcare team.
School Care Guide – Pituitary Foundation
Helping Students to Feel Confident
Education is about more than attendance and academic achievement. Children and young people living with pituitary conditions may also need support with confidence, independence and explaining their condition to others.
Encouraging students to understand their condition and, where appropriate, take an active role in managing their healthcare can help them become more independent as they progress through education.
Every student is different. The aim should be to provide the right support for the individual student, while enabling them to participate as fully and independently as possible in school, college and wider educational life.
Pituitary Ireland is here to provide information and support to people and families affected by pituitary conditions. We are a patient support organisation and not a medical service. If you have concerns about your child's healthcare needs, please speak with their healthcare professional.