Live ChatIntroduction
Health screening
Vaccinations
School Health drop in
Medical records
Useful resources
Introduction
The School Health service is part of the wider 0-19 years team, working closely with Health Visitors and supported by other health professionals. The service works in partnership with parents/carers, children, school staff and other professions to help achieve optimum health outcomes for children.
The School Health service offers health advice to teachers, children and parent/carers. Support is available for all health related issues including allergies, sleep problems, healthy eating, behaviour, bedwetting, growth and development, soiling and constipation.
The School Health service advises on the completion of individual school health care plans for children who suffer from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.
If necessary and with your consent we can sign post you and your child to other agencies. The service works within SSAFA child protection and safeguarding procedures and information will only be shared with others in order to protect the safety and welfare of a child.
Health screening
In Foundation Stage 2 (FS2) the School Health service will carry out the health screening listed below. The screening is provided as an opt-out service (so your child will receive the screening services unless you instruct us not to do so).
- Orthoptist: The SSAFA Orthoptist will assess your child’s vision in school. The Orthoptist is trained in diagnosing defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together, called binocular vision. These can be caused by issues with the muscles around the eyes or defects in the nerves enabling the brain to communicate with the eyes. Please click here for more information.
- Hearing Screening: Hearing tests for children. Please click here for more information.
- Height and Weight Measurement: We will complete height and weight measurements on children in Year 6 as part of the National Child Measurement Programme. Please click here for more information.
Parents are not usually present at screening but we will inform you of the result.
Vaccinations
In line with the NHS vaccination schedule your child will have been offered vaccination at approximately 3 years and 4 months. If you think your child has missed these vaccinations please contact us on the numbers listed below.
Children from FS2 up to and including Year 11 are offered the nasal flu spray each year between October and December.
In Year 8 your child will be offered the HPV (Human Papillomavirus Vaccine). The HPV vaccine helps protect against cancers including cervical cancer, some mouth and throat cancers and some cancers of the anal and genital areas.
In Year 9 your child will be offered the Men ACWY (Meningitis) and the 3-in-1 teenage booster (tetanus, diphtheria and polio).
Parents/carers are not usually present for school vaccination sessions but we will request that you sign a consent form and return it to us in school.
For further information from the NHS please click here.
For further information from the UK Government please click here.
School Health drop-in
The drop-in facility is available for all secondary students to talk to a member of the School Nursing Service confidentially.
These valuable clinics offer advice and support to pupils on a variety of health topics including smoking cessation, sexual health, healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.
St Johns School: Tuesday, 10:15-10:35
King Richard School: Wednesday, 08:00–13:00
Is your child starting school in September?
Starting school is such an exciting moment in our children’s lives and we want to support you and your family to help ensure your child has the best possible start to this new and exciting chapter.
Take a look at our leaflet to find some of our top tips for school readiness.
You can also visit our School Readiness webpage.
Medical records
Your child's electronic medical record will be updated following any contact with the Health service. The records are not shared with the school and are kept securely in the Medical Centre.
Useful resources
Visit the NHS choices website where you can find useful information about the health of your child.
NHS Live Well
Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.
NHS Vaccinations
A guide to help you understand the vaccines offered and when to have them. It also explains how they work and why they're safe and important.
NHS Healthy Child Weight
Practical advice to help you and your child make a change and achieve a healthier weight.
NHS Hearing tests
Routine hearing tests are offered to newborn babies and children to identify any problems early on in their development.
NHS Orthoptist
Although serious vision problems during childhood are rare, routine eye checks are offered to newborn babies and young children to identify any problems early on.