FAQ

General Medical Questions

Will you give my child his/her medicine?

In the vast majority of cases, doses of medicine can be arranged around the school day thus avoiding the need for medicine in school. Antibiotics for example are usually taken three times a day, so can be given with breakfast, on getting home from school and then at bedtime.

Occasionally a GP may prescribe that a medicine has to be taken 4 times a day or at a specific time during the school day. Parents may call into school and administer the medicine to their child themselves. If unable to do so, parents may request that a member of staff administers the medicine. This will be discussed on a case by case basis and a permission form will need to be filled in and signed by the parent. When school staff agree to administer medicine, the parent must supply the medicine in the original pharmacist’s container to the school office with the prescription label clearly visible.

If your child has a specific medical condition that requires regular medication, parents will need to make an appointment with Mrs Argles do discuss the child’s needs and agree an Individual Health Care Plan.

Please refer to the school’s Managing Medicines policy for full information.

What about non-prescription medicine?

Non-prescription medicine such as Calpol will not be administered at school by a member of staff. Pupils must not bring medicine to school for self-administration. This also includes homeopathic and herbal remedies, throat lozenges, cough sweets and skin creams.

Sunscreen may be brought to school but your child will need to be able to apply it themselves.

What happens if my child bumps his/her head?

One of our first aiders will assess your child and decide on the appropriate treatment. If your child has sustained a visible injury, the first aider will decide if he/she is well enough to return to class.  If so, your child will be given a bumped head sticker to wear and a letter on green paper to bring home informing you of the incident and advising you of the symptoms to look out for that may indicate that you should seek medical advice.

In the case of a substantial bruise, cut or lump, a phone call home will also be made to inform the parent of the incident and what action has been taken. The parent can then decide whether to leave the child in school or come and reassure themselves of the well-being of their child.

If it is decided that your child is not well enough to return to class you will receive a call asking you to collect him/her from school immediately. You will be given a letter on orange paper setting out the symptoms to be aware of that may indicate that you should seek medical advice.

What do I need to do if my child has asthma?

If your child suffers from Asthma, our first aider Mrs Argles will complete an Individual Health Care Plan for your child based on the information you provide. You will have to provide the school with 2 reliever inhalers and 2 spacers if necessary. One will be kept in your child’s classroom medical box which is easily accessible; the other will be kept as a spare in the medical room. Both inhalers must be provided in their original packaging with the dispensing label bearing your child’s name clearly visible. You will also be asked to fill in a permission form allowing the medication to be used in school.

Please read the school’s asthma policy for full information.

Will school staff administer my child’s epipen if necessary?

You must tell us if your child suffers from an allergy that might require the use of an epipen. Most of our members of staff have received epipen training. Our first aider Mrs Argles will complete an Individual Health Care Plan for your child based on the information you provide and this will set out exactly what the school will do in an emergency situation. You will have to provide the school with 2 epipens which will be kept in the medical room. Both epipens must be provided in their original packaging with the dispensing label bearing your child’s name clearly visible. You will also be asked to fill in a permission form allowing the medication to be used in school.

All prescribed medicine must be clearly labelled with the prescription details and within the expiry date.

What happens if my child becomes unwell during the school day?

As a general rule, if your child is unwell on the morning of a school day, then we would ask you not to send him/her into school.

Sometimes however, children become unwell during the day and your child’s teacher together with our first aiders will decide whether your child should be sent home.

We will always send home a child who has vomited in school. You will receive a call asking you to collect your child immediately. If you are not contactable we l will call the next person on your emergency contact list. If no one on y our emergency list is available your child will have to stay at school but this can be very upsetting for them so please ensure that your emergency contact numbers are up to date.

In the unlikely event that your child becomes seriously unwell or sustains a serious injury at school we will call the emergency services before we call you. If you are not immediately available and your child needs to go to hospital one of our first aiders will accompany them.