Illness, infection & medical appointments

What do I do if my child is prescribed medication?

If your child needs medication during the school day, please contact the school office. Parents and carers will be asked to complete a medication consent form before staff can administer medication.

Where clinically possible, medicines should be prescribed so that they can be taken outside school hours. However, where it would be detrimental to a child’s health or attendance not to receive medication during the school day, the school will make appropriate arrangements in line with our Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy.

Prescription medication brought into school should normally be in date, clearly labelled and supplied in the original container in which it was dispensed by the pharmacist, with clear instructions regarding the dose, timing and storage.

Medicines are stored safely and appropriately. Some emergency medicines and medical devices, including inhalers and adrenaline auto-injectors, must be readily accessible and will not be locked away where this would prevent a child accessing them quickly in an emergency.

Children with ongoing or more complex medical needs may require an Individual Healthcare Plan, which will be developed with parents and, where appropriate, healthcare professionals.

What happens if my child has a medical or dental appointment?

Wherever possible, we ask parents and carers to arrange routine medical, dental and other appointments outside school hours.

We recognise that this is not always possible. If your child needs to attend an appointment during the school day, please inform the school office in advance. We may ask for evidence of the appointment, such as an appointment letter, card or text message.

Children should attend school before and/or after their appointment wherever possible, so that they miss the minimum amount of learning time.

How long should my child remain at home following an illness?

Children should attend school whenever they are well enough to do so. Minor illnesses such as a mild cough, cold or sore throat will not normally require a child to remain at home unless they are otherwise unwell or have a high temperature.

For diarrhoea and/or vomiting, children should remain away from school until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. This helps to reduce the spread of infection within school.

Some infectious illnesses have specific exclusion periods. Our Illness and Absence page provides further information, and the school will follow current UK Health Security Agency guidance when deciding when a child can safely return.

What happens if my child has an accident or becomes unwell at school?

We have appropriately trained first aid staff available in school. If your child has a minor accident or becomes unwell, they will be assessed and appropriate first aid or care will be provided.

If an injury or illness requires further attention, we will contact parents or carers. Where urgent medical assistance is required, we will contact the emergency services and then notify parents as soon as possible.

Where a child has an Individual Healthcare Plan, staff will follow the agreed procedures within that plan. Schools are required to have appropriate arrangements in place for responding to medical emergencies.

What should I do if my child has head lice?

Head lice are common among children and are not a reason for a child to stay away from school.

If you discover head lice, we ask that you begin appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Your child can continue to attend school while treatment is taking place.

If we notice head lice during the school day, we may contact you so that treatment can be started at home. There is no requirement for you to collect your child from school because they have head lice.

Parents and carers are encouraged to check their child’s hair regularly and treat head lice promptly if they are found.