Illness in School

When we suspect illness we contact parents by telephone and sick children are looked after until their parents arrive. Cuts, bumps and bruises which occur at playtime or in games lessons are dealt with by qualified First Aiders or Supervisory Assistants. An  note is sent home to inform parents as considered appropriate.

Medicines in School

Parents who wish prescribed medicines to be given to their child at school must sign a consent form for this which specifies the medication involved, circumstances under which it should be administered, frequency and level of dosage.  All medicine/tablets must be handed to the office for safekeeping. Please tell the appropriate staff of any medical condition concerning your child that we should know while he/she is in our care.  

Infectious diseases

We need to know, as soon as possible, if your child catches an infectious disease, acquires head lice, or develops a verruca. The Headteacher has the final responsibility for deciding whether a child can return to school after an infectious illness. Below is a list of illnesses and minimum recommended periods away from school.

Guidance of recommended absence from school with other illnesses:

Chickenpox: five days from onset of rash.

Measles: Seven days from onset of rash.

Hand, Foot & Mouth: None.

Slapped Cheek: None.

Flu: When the child feels recovered.

Whooping Cough: Five days from start of antibiotics or 21 days from the onset of the illness if no antibiotics used.

Conjunctivitis: None if antibiotic treatment in use.

Mumps: Five days after the onset of the swelling.

For further information please see the following links:-

http://documents.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/SchoolAttendanceLeafletHCC.pdf

http://documents.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/HIAS/Everydaycounts.pdf

General Hygiene

Headlice - These are small insects, usually greyish brown in colour which can be difficult to see. They cannot jump, fly or swim but spread by crawling from head to head. They require warmth and suck blood from the scalp. The female eggs glue themselves to the base of the hair follicle and are commonly known as nits. Prevention is the best way forward. Regular wet combing, once a week, on the whole families hair is best using thick conditioner. Once headlice are present, daily wet combing is required for 2 weeks, again, the whole family need treating.

Tonsilitis - This is a common ailment in children, often caused by a virus and rarely needs treatment. The child can come back to school when their temperature returns to normal and they are feeling well.

Vomiting & Diarrhoea - These are regularly occurring ailments to children, particularly in a school environment. Most outbreaks are short lived and are not severe. The advice we follow is given from the Health Protection Agency and it is that any child who has sickness and/or diarrhoea MUST remain at home for 48hrs AFTER the last episode.

Impetigo - This is caused by a bacterial infection of broken skin, usually on the face around the mouth. Until the lesions are crusted and healed, or 48hrs after the commencement of antibiotic therapy, the child must remain at home.