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School Nurse

Notes from the Medical Room

  • Medical Room direct line: 02380 246777
  • Wendy Prince RN – School Nurse
  • Lindsay Lambourne – School Nurse Assistant

Feeling Unwell in School

If a student feels unwell during the school day they should attend the Medical Room for assessment, care and treatment as appropriate.  However, students are encouraged to attend during break or lunchtime unless; they are injured during a lesson, they have a chronic condition; this includes migraines, or they are very unwell.   Students should not contact parents directly to be collected; if your child does contact you please advise them to go to the Medical Room. You may wish to then phone the Medical Room to discuss further.  

Exceptional Medical Conditions

If a student has an exceptional medical condition that requires care or support during the school day or has emergency medication to take in school please contact the School Nurse directly via phone or email.

New Medical Condition or amendment to existing condition 

If there are changes to a student’s existing medical condition or a new one is diagnosed please advise the School Nurse directly as soon as possible.

Medication in School

  • The only medication supplied by the school is paracetamol. If you wish your child to be administered paracetamol in the case of pain or fever, please ensure that you sign the appropriate consent form when your child commences at Thornden
  • Medication use in school is discouraged however there are occasions when it is absolutely appropriate and necessary. If you wish to provide medication to be administered or supervised in school including emergency medication, regular routine medication, pain killers and short courses of antibiotics please complete a Form A 'Parental-School Agreement for the administration of medicines in school'  Form A ‘Parental school agreement for the administration of medicines in school’ 
  • We discourage students from carrying medication for self-administration unless it is required in an emergency. However, if you feel it may be appropriate for your child to carry medication this can be discussed with the School Nurse; a Form A will still need to be completed.

 

Please adhere to the following guidelines with any medication that is brought into school:

  • The medication needs to be provided in the original packaging, clearly labelled with the child’s name and in the case of prescribed medication should have the doctor’s directions clearly visible on the pharmacy dispensing label.
  • The expiry date should be noted and a replacement supplied in good time.
  • In the case of self-administration, the child should only carry enough medication to cover one school day at a time. The child should be advised to store the medication safely and informed of the risks of sharing medications.  
  • In the case of medication to be used in an emergency, an Emergency Health Care Plan or Action Plan/Card, supplied by the treating Doctor needs to accompany the Form. Please contact the School Nurse for assistance if you do not have a current Health/Action Plan for your child.
  • The school strongly recommends that a ‘back up’ supply of medication be provided for emergency use; this will be kept in the Medical room.  

 

Asthma or prescribed a Salbutamol (Ventolin/blue) inhaler for occasional use

  • If your child has asthma or has been prescribed a Salbutamol (Ventolin/blue) inhaler for occasional use, they are encouraged to carry it with them at all times with a spare being kept in the medical room if you wish.
  • In all cases please ensure you complete the School Asthma Card which includes written permission for the use of the school’s centralised Salbutamol inhaler in an emergency if your child’s own is unavailable, expired or broken.
  • A photocopy of this document should be returned to the School Nurse as soon as possible and the original returned to school once signed by the treating doctor or asthma nurse at the next asthma review.

Other Points of Note

  • There are a high number of students in school with nut allergies, Thornden therefore aims to be a nut free school, this includes cereal bars, Nutella, praline chocolates etc
  • There are also a number of students in school whose asthma is triggered by aerosols therefore students should not bring aerosols into school, this includes deodorants and body sprays.
  • If a student is unable to participate in PE/Dance due to injury/illness please write, date and sign a note in their logbook. Please make the time-frame this applies to clear.
  • If a student needs to use crutches in school, please refer to the guidance found on this website and discuss with the School Nurse in advance of the student returning to school. Use of Crutches in School
  • In case of emergency please keep your contact numbers up to date.
  • Three sets of vaccinations are offered to students through NHS schemes during their time at Thornden School:
  • The Flu Vaccination
  • The Human Papilloma Virus vaccine (HPV) in Year 8, 2nd vaccine in Year 9
  • The teenage booster vaccinations; Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, and Meningitis ACWY in Year 9
  • Information and consent forms are sent home in advance.
  • Head lice can occasionally still be an issue at secondary school; often thought to be related to students being independent with their hygiene needs. Therefore please continue to regularly check your child’s hair for any signs and treat appropriately.
  • After a sickness bug, keep the student at home for 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting/diarrhoea as per Public Health England guidance but continue to call the absence line daily. D & V in Children

 

Form A Parental School Agreement for the administration of medicines in school (Word doc)

Management of Medicines Policy

Paracetamol Consent Form (PDF)​

​Asthma Card (PDF)​

​Norovirus - schools guide (PDF) 

Anaphylaxis Guidance

Asthma Guidance

Diabetes Guidance

Epilepsy and Seizure Guidance

​Use of Crutches in School Guidance

​Supporting Students with Medical Conditions