Skip to content ↓

Sickness Absence Policy and Procedures

Please advise us of any medical or health issues your child has. It is also important that we know about any allergies - please keep the school updated with any changes regarding both medication and allergies.

A copy of the school's policy on medical conditions is available on the policies page.

In cases of absence, please notify the school immediately.

Please use common sense when deciding whether or not your child is too ill to attend school. A list of common childhood illnesses and appropriate actions are given later on this page. 

As a general rule, ask yourself the following questions ...

  • Is my child well enough to do the activities of the school day?
    If not, keep your child at home.
  • Does my child have a condition that could be passed on to other children or school staff?
    If so, keep your child at home.
  • Would I take a day off work if I had this condition?
    If so, keep your child at home.

If your child is well enough to attend school but requires a dose of medication, please come into the office and complete the medication form, bringing the medication in the original packaging and if prescribed, the prescription label from the dispensing pharmacy. 

What do I do if my child has……?

We have taken advice from NHS Choices to compile the following information. It is only a guide and if you have concerns regarding your child’s health, we strongly recommend you visit your GP.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

Click on the symptoms to see the relevant advice:

Sickness/Diarrhoea

As gastroenteritis is easily spread, it's important to take steps to prevent it spreading from your child to other children by:

  • encouraging your child to wash their hands properly after going to the toilet and before eating
  • cleaning the potty or toilet thoroughly using disinfectant after each episode of diarrhoea and vomiting, making sure you clean the seat and handle
  • washing your hands regularly, particularly after changing a nappy or cleaning a potty
  • not sharing your child's towels, flannels, cutlery or eating utensils with other members of your household
  • not allowing your child to return to nursery or school until at least 48 hours after their last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting

Conjunctivitus

Public Health England advises that you do not need to stay away from work or school if you or your child has conjunctivitis, unless you are feeling particularly unwell. If there are a number of cases of conjunctivitis at one school or nursery, you may be advised to keep your child away from the school until their infection has cleared up. Drops can be purchased from the pharmacist or on prescription from your child’s GP.

Threadworm

Threadworm infections are most common in young children because they often forget to wash their hands regularly and they often share things like toys with other children. People who are in close contact with someone who has a threadworm infection, for instance living in the same house, are also at a high risk of infection. This is why all members of a household where someone has a threadworm infection need to be treated. The main medication used to treat threadworms is available from your local pharmacy without prescription, but make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because it is not suitable for everyone.

If you or your child has a threadworm infection, it is not necessary to stay off work or school. However, it's important to inform your child's school or nursery so they can take steps to limit the spread of infection. The medication can cause diarrhoea, so in this case, it would be appropriate to keep your child off school.

Headlice

Head lice can usually be effectively treated with lotions or sprays designed to kill head lice, or by wet combing, using a specially designed head lice comb. Wet combing can be used without lotions or sprays, but it needs to be done regularly and can take a long time to do thoroughly. Lotions or sprays can be used as an alternative. However, to be totally effective they need to be applied correctly and thoroughly. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend an over-the-counter lotion or spray and give you advice about how to use it correctly.

Cough and Cold

A child with a minor cough or cold may attend school. If the cold is accompanied by a raised temperature, shivers or drowsiness, the child should stay off school, visit the GP and return to school 24 hours after they start to feel better. If your child has a more severe and long-lasting cough, consult your GP. They can give guidance on whether the child should stay off school.

Sore Throat

A sore throat alone doesn't have to keep a child from school. If it's accompanied by a raised temperature, the child should stay at home.

Headache

A child with a minor headache doesn't usually need to be kept off school. If the headache is more severe or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as raised temperature or drowsiness, then keep the child off school and consult your GP

Rash

Rashes can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles. Children with these conditions shouldn't attend school. If your child has a rash, check with your GP or practice nurse before sending them to school.