Medical Room
The Medical Room is staffed during school hours by a First Aid trained Medical Officer and can be found on the ground floor next to the Key Stage 4 office and opposite the Staff room. Students should report to Student reception if feeling unwell or requiring any First Aid where they will be assessed by a first aid trained member of staff, and a decision made about whether they need to be sent to the medical room where any medical needs will be treated accordingly.
This provision should not be used as a pre-cursor or replacement to visit your GP if your child is unwell. It is vital that if your child is unwell and requires medical attention you seek an appointment with your GP or visit the appropriate hospital or out of hours service.
Please refer to the NHS guidance by following the link below to establish if your child should attend school due to illness. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/.
Becoming Unwell in School
If your child becomes unwell in class, they will need permission from the teacher or an appropriate adult to visit student reception. Should any illness require the student to be sent home, the relevant parent/carer will be contacted by one of the First Aid Officers.
All communication with the parent/carer must be through the school and not directly with the child.
Parents/carers should not attend school to collect an unwell child unless they have been contacted by either the Medical Officer or a First Aider.
In an emergency or if the pupil is not considered to be well enough to go to the medical room, the Medical Officer or another trained first aider, will be called to attend in person and assess the needs of the pupil and take appropriate action.
It is important that the school is informed of ALL changes to telephone numbers as soon as possible, or any other changes in circumstances to enable us to contact the parent/carer quickly in the event of an emergency. PLEASE REMAIN CONTACTABLE DURING THE SCHOOL HOURS OR DESIGNATE SOMEONE WHO IS AVAILABLE.
Managing Medical Conditions
Pupils with extra medical needs may require a medical care plan. Care plans are developed in collaboration with parents, carers, health care professionals, and appropriate school staff members (e.g. Head of Year, SENCO). A care plan ensures that we can meet the medical needs of individual pupils. Conditions which may require specific care plans are Diabetes, Epilepsy, Allergies and Asthma. If you have been requested by a member of staff to complete a care plan assessment form, we will need to gather some basic information prior to meeting with you. This form does not mean that a care plan will automatically be put in place, it is the initial process to gather further information about your child’s medical requirements.
Please contact us by email if there are changes to your child’s medical status or care plan guidance.
For emergency medication consent forms, care plan assessment forms or if you wish to send medication to be kept by the school, please access and complete the medical forms to the right of this page.
Medication
It is school policy to only administer prescription and non-prescription medications if it is essential that they are given during the school day, and we have written parental consent. Medication must be provided to the school in its original packet, in date and clearly labelled alongside the consent form. It is parental responsibility to ensure medication is within date.
PLEASE NOTE: Pupils are not allowed to carry medication around the school site with them, except for emergency medication such as insulin, asthma pumps and Adrenaline Auto injectors (EpiPens).
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
As per NHS guidance, should your child have an episode of diarrhoea or vomiting they should stay at home until 48 hours after the last episode to prevent spreading infection to others.
For further information please refer to NHS guidance for diarrhoea https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/
Sanitary Products
Sanitary products are freely available for those who require them from the Medical Room, Student reception, Student services, safeguarding team and sports changing rooms.
Heat packs are available for use, but they must be returned to student reception. If a pupil is regularly using a heat pack or if you know your child suffers with period cramps regularly, please provide them with their own heat pack which we will happily warm for use.
Re-usable Water Bottles
Dehydration causes many physical symptoms including headaches, nausea, lack of concentration, feeling light-headed and tiredness. Please ensure your child has their own re-usable water bottle, so they can remain hydrated throughout the day.
Further Information
For further information, please refer to our policy (linked below). Consent forms can be found on the link to the right of this page.
Further information can be found by following the NHS link https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/