Is my child too ill for school?
When your child is unwell, it can be hard deciding whether to keep them off school. These simple guidelines should help.
Not every illness needs to keep your child from school. If you keep your child away from school, be sure to inform the school on the first day of their absence by. On the first day of your child’s illness, telephone the main office (0151 928 5601) by 9:30am to tell us that your child will be staying at home. We may ask about the nature of the illness and how long you expect the absence to last.
Use common sense when deciding whether or not your child is too ill to attend school.
Common conditions
If your child is ill, it’s likely to be due to one of a few minor health conditions:
Cough and cold. A child with a minor cough or cold may attend school. If your child has a more severe and long-lasting cough, consult your GP.
Rash. Skin rashes can be the first sign of many infectious illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles. If your child has a rash, check with your GP or practice nurse before sending them to school.
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 consult your GP.
Vomiting and diarrhoea. Children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting should definitely be kept off school until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have gone or otherwise stated differently by the Head teacher. Most cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in children get better without treatment, but if symptoms persist, consult your GP.
Sore throat. A sore throat alone doesn’t have to keep a child from school.
Remember: if you’re concerned about your child’s health, consult a health professional.
Contact School
It’s important to inform the school if your child is going to be absent. If it becomes clear that your child will be away for longer than expected, phone the school as soon as possible to explain this.
In the event of your child taking ill at school, we will ring one of the emergency contact numbers to arrange for them to be taken home if that is necessary. Therefore, it is very important that these contact numbers are kept up to date. You can do this directly from the Arbor App.
Giving Medicine
Medicine can only be administered to your child in line with school policy. For a child to be given non-prescribed medicine, written permission is needed in advance, this will be held on file at school. Where possible medicine should be administered at home to limit disruptions to the class. Prescribed medicines will be administered during school hours upon completion of the relevant medicine form.