Students with Medical Conditions

While there is no legal or contractual duty on school staff to administer medication or supervise students taking their medication, we are committed to supporting our students where possible to help them feel happy and confident at school, enabling them to achieve their full potential.

The primary responsibility for a student’s health lies with the parent or carer, who is responsible for the student’s medication. Parents should provide the school with all relevant medical information, either through regular data collection processes or directly notifying the school if there are any changes that need to be communicated.

If a parent has indicated that there is medical information that the school should be aware of, this information will be recorded in the school’s Medical Register. If necessary, a Medical Care Plan will be developed in consultation with the parents and, where appropriate, medical professionals, to outline the actions needed to manage the condition(s) in school.

Medication in School
Only medication that must be taken during school hours, or that may be required in an emergency, should be brought into school. Where possible, students should take their medication at home, outside of school hours. However, when it is necessary for medication to be brought into school, the following guidelines apply:

• Asthma Inhalers – We encourage all students who require an inhaler to carry it on their person so it is readily available if needed. If a student is unable to carry their inhaler, we will store it in an accessible location within the school. We also have spare inhalers available for emergency use for students who have been prescribed an inhaler and where parental consent has been given.

• AAI Devices – Adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), often referred to by the brand name Epipen, are used for students with severe allergies. Current guidance from health authorities suggests that anyone prescribed an AAI device should have two devices available. We encourage students to carry their own AAI device(s) to ensure they are readily available in case of an emergency. If your child is unable to carry their own AAI device(s), we will store it in a readily accessible location within the school. We also have spare AAIs available for emergency use for students who have been prescribed one and where parental consent has been given.

• Non-emergency Medication – Any non-emergency medication will be stored in a locked cupboard at the school’s main office. Students will need to report to the office when they need to take their medication. Parents are required to contact the school to inform us about any medication their child needs, ensuring that the medication is provided in its original packaging with the prescriber’s instructions clearly visible.

Parental Responsibilities
Parents are responsible for ensuring that any medication brought into school is not expired. It is also the parent’s responsibility to collect unused medication when it is no longer required at school.