Is your child well enough to be in school…?

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As winter approaches, we all become more vulnerable to colds, coughs and sore throats.

We understand that sometimes you can feel pressed to make the right judgement call of whether your child is sick enough to stay off school.

Ultimately, you’re the parent and you’re the one responsible for your child’s health and happiness, so it’s your call on how ill your child really is.

However, please tell the school if your child is sick.

If you do keep your child at home, it’s important to phone the school first thing in the morning, on the first day and any subsequent days by 9am by speaking to the office or leaving a message on the answerphone on 0161 775 2937.

We are also able to give your child their medication if you fill in a form to help manage their conditions.

And more importantly, we will always call you if your child’s condition worsens or they need to be at home.

Below are just a few of the regular sickness conditions that we record and some advice which might help you when deciding if your child is well enough to be in school:

Coughs and colds

A child with a minor cough or cold can still attend school. But if the cold comes with flu symptoms of a raised temperature (38°C or above), shivers or drowsiness, then it’s best to please keep your child at home. If your child has a more severe and long-lasting cough, please consult your GP.

Raised temperatures

If your child has a raised temperature, they shouldn’t attend school. However, they can return after they start to feel better.

Headaches

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 again keep the child off school and consult your GP.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting should definitely be kept off school for 48 hours. Most cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in children get better without treatment, but if symptoms persist, consult your GP. Keep them hydrated.

Sore throats

A sore throat alone doesn’t have to keep a child from school. But if it’s accompanied by a raised temperature, your child may need to stay at home.

Chickenpox

If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all their spots have crusted over.

Cold sores and impetigo

You don’t need to keep your child off school if they have cold sores. Just give the appropriate treatment and tell them not to share drinking bottles or cutlery with other kids. If your child has impetigo keep your child off school until the lesions are crusted and healed or 48 hours after starting antibiotics.

Nits

If every child with nits was off school, some classes would be empty! *Obsessive combing and treatment as soon as you notice an outbreak is sufficient. Parents need to be aware and regularly check children for head lice. This is a very common condition and can spread easily amongst children. Treatments are available at the Pharmacy and are often free of charge.

*The Nitty Gritty Nit Free Comb is a type of Nit Comb which comes with a lifelong guarantee; this comb traps lice, nits and crucially eggs, available at independent chemists or via their website.

Thank you.

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