Medical Arrangements

If pupils feel unwell during a lesson the Form Tutor will send them to the School Office and the School Nurse will be contacted. If it is outside lesson time, the pupil must in the first instance contact his or her Form Teacher who will assess the situation, then contact the School Nurse if necessary. A number of staff are qualified first aiders. Paracetamol may only be issued to a child if parents have given consent by signing the back of the medical form. If a pupil is not well enough to remain in school, or needs hospital treatment, parents will be contacted. No pupil can phone home or leave the School without prior permission from the Form Tutor, relevant Director of School, Deputy Head, or Headmaster.

Pupils should never phone you directly to ask you to come and collect them.

If your child has a life-threatening condition which would require a teacher to administer a particular drug (for example the Epipen for anaphylactic shock), please contact the School Nurse to discuss the procedure and required permissions.

If your son or daughter has an injury or receives medical treatment that affects their mobility in School, or affects their ability to function or dress as normal, then they may not return to School until you have provided detailed information to the Deputy Head and this has been agreed. This includes describing any special medical aids, footwear, clothing or bandaging and how long such treatment/aid will be necessary. This should be a consultative discussion, not a letter or email sent with a returning pupil just stating what has happened. We need to know full details how mobility is affected and how a pupil will manage the normal day to day routine of school. As you will appreciate, the stairs and corridors are busy when lessons change and safety is paramount. The School will then undertake a risk assessment and together with you, agree on the terms and conditions needed to accept your child back into school.

While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the school, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and wellbeing or when they are recovering from an illness. All medicine must be provided to School in original package showing the prescribed dosage.

In many cases, it is possible for a child’s GP to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening. As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child’s health if not given in school.

Due to safeguarding regulations, no pupil can carry or self-administer medications including paracetamol and ibuprofen. Any medication needs to be handed in with a parental permission slip which is available from the School Office.

Immunisations

We invite the Hampshire NHS Schools Division to deliver immunisations at school, currently covering:

» Year 8: HPV vaccination (implemented with a course of 2 injections)

» Year 9: Triple (diphtheria/tetanus/polio) and meningitis ASWY

The School Medical Policy can be found on the website under ‘About Us – Policies’