Absence & Illness

Illness and Emergency Contacts

Children should not be sent to school if they are unwell. We appreciate that it is sometimes difficult to make a judgement first thing in the morning but would ask parents to be in reach of a telephone if they send their child to school but are unsure about their fitness to attend.

For further guidance to help you to decide whether or not your child is well enough to attend school, please access the following links from the

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

UKHSA: Should I keep my child off school checklist poster (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Managing specific infectious diseases: A to Z – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

On admission, parents are asked to provide at least two contact numbers in case we need to reach them during the day. It is helpful if any changes to these are notified promptly.

If a child should have an accident during the school day, we notify parents as soon as possible and advise of the child’s condition. Where a hospital check is felt necessary, parents are asked either to come and take their child or to meet school staff at the hospital, depending upon the nature of any injury.

The Class Teacher will usually advise the Headteacher about a child’s fitness to attend school and is most likely to make contact with parents over these issues.

Absence from School

A child who is a full time pupil should attend school on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that this happens. If a child is unwell, parents should inform the school directly by telephoning the school office. If they are unable to do so on the day of absence, then they should do so immediately on the child’s return to school. If a child has a medical appointment, parents should inform the school directly, in writing if possible, through the diary system.

Parents who wish their child to accompany them on a family activity or holiday during term time need to complete a ‘Request of Absence for Holidays’ form. Please ask the Class Teacher via the diary system to send one home for completion. This needs to be completed beforehand and will be signed as authorised or unauthorised by the Headteacher and returned to yourself. Absences are recorded as unauthorised if this is not done or clear information is not provided to the school.

We understand that financially it is advantageous to take holiday during school term dates, however, please bear in mind that this has a detrimental effect on your child’s education and we do not encourage it except under rare circumstances.

Medication in schools

Many pupils at Bettridge School have medicine during the school day. School staff have full responsibility for all aspects of administering and storing medication. We are supported by the School Nursing service who train provide ongoing training and advice.

The following systems are in place:

• Parents are asked to complete Medical Consent and Medical Information forms when their child commences at Bettridge. Medicines can only be given in school if this is authorised. These forms are sent out annually to ensure information is correct and up-to-date, however, should anything change during the year, please ensure you request a new form.
• All medicines sent to school should be given to an adult.
• All medication must be in the packaging in which it was prescribed and have the prescription label on it clearly showing the dosage.
• Staff will not be able to administer non-prescribed medication. If a child needs this in school (i.e. eye drops), please could parents consult their GP and ask for them to be prescribed if they need to be given during the school day.
• We keep a store of paracetamol in school – staff will always contact parents/carers before administering.
• It is the responsibility of parents to ensure the medication kept in school is in date. Please could parents/carers note the expiry date before sending medication into school, and re-order as necessary. Any out of date medication will be returned to parents for them to dispose of appropriately.

Child Protection Procedures

All schools have a responsibility to work with other agencies following statutory child protection procedures. As part of this process, we routinely note any minor injuries or other concerns about a child. This is not meant to imply a particular judgement and is always followed by a note to parents, usually via the diary system, about the concern. This is done in a spirit of wishing to provide support to families and the Headteacher is happy to receive direct approaches from any family where we may be able to be of help. In the event of more serious concerns, the welfare of the child will always be the guiding principal in any action taken. The first recourse of the school would normally be for the Headteacher, who is responsible for procedures in school, to contact the parents directly to discuss concerns.