Medical Information
The school has a first aid trained, Medical Officer who is on hand throughout the school day to administer medical help if a student is unwell, injured or requires medication. If your child has a specific medical need, please ensure the school is informed and has all up to date information.
Medical Appointments
Whilst we realise that some of these are unavoidable, please try to book appointments outside of school hours or during school holidays. If this is not possible, it is expected that students are only out of school for the actual appointment and should therefore attend school before and/or after, in order to allow minimum disruption to their lessons and attendance.
Students should not be taking the whole day off school to attend appointments.
Where appointments are necessary in school hours, please ensure your child’s absence is reported at least 48 hours prior to Matron, together with the appropriate documents, e.g. an appointment card/letter to ensure the absence is authorised.
In the event of emergency appointments, please contact the school on the day and report your child’s absence and ensure supporting documentation is handed in when your child returns to school.
For longer appointments (ie London hospitals), please speak to Matron directly, as a longer absence can be authorised in exceptional circumstances.
Parents/carers should be aware that if the school does not receive any official confirmation of a medical appointment during school time, their child will be given an unauthorised absence that will affect their attendance record. If attendance drops significantly as a result, cases will be referred to the Educational Welfare Officer for investigation.
Keeping Hydrated
It is very important to ensure that we do not dehydrate. As well as keeping our bodies fit and healthy it will also help keep concentration levels higher and therefore improve performance at the school.
Can you please ensure that your son/daughter brings a bottle of water with them to school - this can be
re-filled at the water fountain. Fizzy drinks and energy drinks are not permitted in school and WILL BE CONFISCATED.
Cups are not available from the medical room and pupils are not permitted to leave lessons to visit the medical room for a drink.
Medicines In School
Prescription medicines MUST be supplied to the Medical Room in a container labelled by the pharmacist.
All other medicines must be provided in their original packaging.
All medicines held and dispensed by the Medical Officer must have a parent’s/carer’s written consent.
Medication prescribed for 1 / 2 / 3 doses a day should not normally require administration during the school day, unless times are specifically stated by their GP. The medication should generally be taken at the following times:-
1) before school 2) on arrival home from school 3) before bedtime
Asthma Inhalers
Inhalers for the relief of asthma must be immediately available and should be carried in school by pupils who use them. Please ensure the child’s name is on the inhaler. A spare inhaler should be left in the Medical Room in case of emergency.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol can only be given to students who have returned their permission slip. Tablets will only be given at break, lunch time and at change of lesson unless the school has been informed the student suffers with migraine or is on the Medical List.
Students must not carry pain relief tablets. If students are caught carrying medication in school, the tablets will be confiscated and the Senior Leadership Team will be informed.
48 HOUR RULE
Could I please remind you that any child who has had diarrhoea and / or vomiting should be kept at home for 48 hours from the LAST episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.
This directive comes from the Health Protection Agency – Guidance of Infection Control in Schools and other Child Care Settings.
Coping with Hayfever
Please ensure your child takes their medication before they come to school (e.g. antihistamines, eye drops, nasal sprays, etc).
Spare medication may be left in the medical room for emergencies. All medicines held and dispensed by the medical room must be provided in their original packaging and must have a parent/carer's written consent.
Please ensure that your child has ample supplies of tissues. A little pot of Vaseline is also useful - your child can dab a little under his/her nose to provide a lubricating barrier to the constant irritation from blowing and rubbing.
Healthier Together website
The Healthier Together website is a digital resource which has been co-produced by the ICS Children and Young People’s (CYP) team with the support of young people, parent carer forums, system partners and clinicians across BLMK to support our CYP population and their parents and carers. It aims to empower parents and carers with the right tools to manage their children and young people’s physical health and emotional well-being. In addition, it also has lots of information for young people themselves to access.
The section for Parents/Carers covers key areas such as ‘Should my child go to school/nursery today’, information on a range of common illnesses and childhood vaccinations, in addition to a large section on SEND.
Another section entitled Health for Young People speaks directly to young people and provides information on mental health, sexual health and LGBTQ+ issues. This gives extensive guidance, including ‘What to do in a Crisis’, ‘Where to Get Help’ and ‘Self-help Ideas.’ There is also a lifestyle section which focuses on topics such as healthy eating and exercise, much of which has been co-produced with young people.
Thanks to a functionality called Recite Me, the site is also accessible to people who may be disabled, visually impaired, speak English as a second language or are elderly. The web content can be translated into over 100 different languages.
To visit the website yourself, click this link: https://www.blmkhealthiertogether.nhs.uk
Safety in the Sun
PROTECTING HEALTH AND REDUCING HARM FROM SEVERE HEAT AND HEATWAVES
Bright, hot summer days are what many of us look forward to for the rest of the year – especially in cold, wet England!
However, while we’re enjoying the balmy days of summer, we should not forget that the temperature can get too high, that it can become uncomfortably hot, and for some, it can become dangerously hot. Please see below strategies for students to use when travelling to and from school and during the school day during extreme heat.
Stay out of the heat:
- Keep out of the sun between 11.00am and 3.00pm.
- If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf.
- Avoid extreme physical exertion.
Cool yourself down:
- Have plenty of water and avoid hot drinks.
- Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content.
- Take a cool shower, bath or body wash.
- Keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.
Look out for others:
- Keep an eye on your peers and make sure they are able to keep cool.
- Be alert and call a member of staff if someone is unwell or further help is needed.
If you or others feel unwell:
- Try to get help if you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache; move to a cool place as soon as possible and alert the nearest member of staff.
- Drink some water or fruit juice to rehydrate.
- Rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen) after sustained exercise during very hot weather. Drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes.
- Medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour.
- Consult your doctor if you feel unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist.
Click here to visit the School Policies page to view the Lealands High School's medical policy.