Medical Provision
The School has a purpose-built surgery including sick bay with en-suite facilities and a treatment room. There is a qualified nurse on site from 9.00 to 6.00 on Monday and Wednesday, 7.30 to 4.30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9.00 to 3.00 on Fridays. A weekly clinic for boarders is attended by the local General Practitioner. An audiology test is carried out by the nurse annually to screen all new students and to retest other referrals. Day students continue to see their doctor at home. Parents take responsibility for attendance at home hospital appointments, routine eye and dental care. Emergencies are dealt with promptly via local practitioners. The school has excellent links with local medical consultants and other relevant agencies.
In the event of any pupil feeling unwell, they would be taken to see the school nurse. Certain homely remedies are used with written permission from parents. In the event of an emergency (suspected fracture etc) the child would be taken to hospital and every effort would be made to contact the parents. Apart from emergencies, ALL hospital, clinic, dental, optician appointments etc, for whatever reason, are the responsibility of the parent.
Any prescribed medication required during the school day is only dispensed by the school nurse, and subject to the receipt of the relevant signed consent form. Medication should always be delivered to the School Surgery, and in its original packaging showing details of dosage, special precautions etc. For residential pupils, the care staff are appropriately trained to administer medications, and will do so subject to the written consent of parents. Several members of staff are also qualified 'First-Aiders'.
Children who are obviously unwell with colds, sickness or diarrhoea or who have symptoms of any contagious disease, should NOT be allowed to come into school. Any child who displays such symptoms whilst here would be confined in sick bay and parents would be required to collect them without delay.
To contact the School Surgery direct, please call 01428 685029
All students receive a medical on admission to school and there is ongoing routine health surveillance on growth, development and general health. The local Health Authority organise whole school immunisation sessions as recommended by the Department of Health. Parents will be informed and written consent requested.
The medical staff contribute to the delivery of the 24-hour curriculum, including health education, first aid and Personal, Social and Health Education. Liaison with parents is encouraged. Parents may contact the nurse at any time during the school day and are welcome to visit the surgery. Nursing expertise is shared with other school departments through the In-Service Training Programme and during daily hand-over meetings. Creating a whole-staff awareness of the medical needs of individual students in conjunction with their education and the 24-hour curriculum, is given a very high profile.
