Medical Guidance for Parents from UKHSA

Absences

Parents are asked to let the school know if their child is absent and the reason for the absence by 9am on the day in question.  This can be done via a phone message or an email to school (please click for the school's Contact Details).  If parents do not let the school know the reason for absence on the first day then the School Secretary will phone to ensure that there are no problems.  A letter confirming the reason for absence is required on return.  If no letter is received explaining the absence then a letter will be sent from the school.  If parents fail to give a reason for absence it then becomes an unauthorised absence, that is an absence the school knows nothing about or perhaps, worryingly, an absence that the parents know nothing about. 

Amendments have been made to the 2006 regulations in the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.  These amendments, as described here, came into force on 1st September 2013.  Amendments to the 2006 regulations remove references to family holiday and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days.  The amendments make clear that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.  Headteachers should determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if the leave is granted.

Illness and Medication

If a child becomes unwell at school we will contact parents. We ask that parents keep home/work contact numbers up to date to minimise delays. In the unlikely event of an emergency we will call an ambulance and a member of staff will accompany the child to hospital, staying with them until a parent can arrive.

It is not always easy to decide if a child is well enough to come to school. We ask parents to use their common sense and to think of others. Germs travel quickly in a warm, busy environment. Any child who has suffered from:

• diarrhoea or sickness should be kept at home for 48 hours from the last occurrence. 

Medicines can only be administered by a member of school staff if the Administering Medication form has been completed. For cases of long term illness please discuss your child’s medical needs with the school. Children requiring asthma inhalers or an epi-pen should have a named inhaler or epi-pen and the School Office must be made aware of this need. 

We welcome and support pupils with medical conditions. We provide children with medical conditions with the same opportunities and access to activities (both school based and out of school) as other pupils. The Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions policy outlines the procedures. The policy is available via the link below.