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Welfare, Medical Support and First Aid
We recognise that during their time with us many students will need extra support and care due to medical needs. Support is led by our medical officer supported by the School’s Nursing Team. If your child has an ongoing medical need it is important that we are aware of this and of any support which may be needed. This includes asthma, allergies and any other need which may affect their wellbeing or learning in school. If your child has an ongoing medical need, or a short-term illness which requires support in school, please contact the school office and we will work with you to create a plan which best supports your child.
Students may not keep medication, including over-the-counter painkillers with them in school. If your child requires medication during the school day you must bring it to the main reception in its original packaging. You will be asked to sign a consent form and the medication will be safely stored for your child’s use. There are some exceptions to this, for example, children who use an asthma inhaler or an adrenaline injector must keep them with them. If your child uses medication which they need to keep with them, please contact the school office.
In order to provide the best care to our whole school community, we have a team of trained first aiders across the staff. If your child becomes ill or requires first aid support whilst at school you will usually be contacted. It is important that we are able to contact you quickly in an emergency so please ensure that you let us know if your contact numbers change.
We value our strong partnerships with parents and families as it is by working together that we ensure the best care and support for our students. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the school office if you would like to discuss support for your child.
Ongoing Medical Conditions
If your child has an ongoing medical condition it is important that we are aware. We will ask you to tell us what the issue is, how it may affect your child in school and any support which is needed. For some students, we will work with you and your child to create an Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) which sets out day-to-day support as well as action to be taken in an emergency. An example of an IHCP can be found below. Please contact Mrs John on 020 8864 8544 or sjohn@northolthigh.org.uk if you would like to discuss your child’s ongoing medical needs.
Asthma
If your child has asthma and uses an inhaler, they must carry it with them at all times. You must also provide a spare inhaler in the original packaging which will be stored for them in the welfare room. We will ask you to sign a consent form which you can do by popping in to the main school office or downloading and completing the form below and returning it to school. (Please note that if you email the form to us you must do so using an email address provided to us when your child enrolled at the school).
Allergies
Please let us know if your child has an allergy. If your child requires medication, such as antihistamines or adrenaline auto-injectors, you must ensure we have spares in school. You will need to bring these to reception and you will be asked to give us details such as what the triggers are and what an allergic reaction usually looks like for your child. This helps us to make sure we have all the information we need to plan support for your child. Again, you will need to sign a medicines consent form, which you can do in school but which can also be found below.
Contact details
Occasionally we may have to contact you quickly so it is important that we are always able to get hold of you. If your contact details change please telephone the school office on 020 8864 8544 or email admin@northolthigh.org.uk.
It is vital that we have up to date contact details for at least two emergency contacts so that we can get in touch if your child is unwell at school. If your details change please give us a call or put a note in your child’s planner and ask then to go to the main office. Your child’s planner will be signed so you know we’ve got your message.
Medications
Students must not carry any over-the-counter or prescription medicines, including painkillers, with them in school. Exceptions are made in certain circumstances, such as for asthma inhalers or adrenaline auto-injectors, but only when the child may need immediate access to their medication and only when this has been agreed with our medical officer in advance. If your child needs to access medicines during the school day you must bring them to reception in their original packaging. We will ask you to sign a consent form which you can do by popping in to the main school office or downloading and completing the form below and returning it to school. (Please note that if you email the form to us you must do so using an email address provided to us when your child enrolled at the school).
Injuries
f your child has an injury which means they cannot take part in the full school curriculum, please contact Mrs John before they attend school. Mrs John will discuss the support your child needs with you and will liaise with teaching staff if any temporary adjustments are needed. If your child has been advised to use crutches by a medical professional you must contact us before they return to school. We will discuss with you how well they are able to use them and agree any necessary arrangements.
Crutches
If your child is issued with crutches by a medical professional please let us know before your child returns to school so that we can ensure their health and safety whilst on school site. Mrs John will work with you and your child to assess any special arrangements which need to be made to support your child.
