HOLMEWOOD HOUSE - An independent preparatory school, for boys and girls aged 3-13 years, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Health Care

The main aim of the members of the school health team is to ensure that children are physically and emotionally fit in order to benefit fully from their education and achieve their potential to grow and develop in a healthy environment.

We have a School Nurse backed by an assistant, who is a fully qualified First Aider. They share the duty hours between them ensuring that our Sickbay is open 8am – 7pm weekdays (8am – 6.30pm on Wednesdays) and 8am – 4.30pm on Saturdays (8am – 7pm during the summer term).

Sister Margaret Hazell-Smith RGN (01892 860019)
Mrs Pennie Court

Please keep the Sick Bay informed of any relevant health issues or concerns.

We have other First Aiders in the school (holding 4 day First Aid and Safety at Work Certificates as required under the Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981) and Appointed Persons (1 day First Aid Certificates)

Sickbay fulfills the following functions:

• The care of children taken ill during the school day.
• The administration of any first aid or medical treatment to children, staff and visitors.
• Routine vision tests are carried out in Year 1 and again in Year 7.
• Referrals can be made for a hearing test if there is felt to be cause for concern.
• A school counselling service is provided by Mrs Sonja Jenkins MA PGCE.
• Appointments for both pupils and parents may be made with Sister.
• Mouth guard fitting by Mrs Sally Atkinson (a local dentist).

Medicines

The School Nurse (in her absence, her assistant) is responsible for the safe storage and administration of medicine to school pupils.

In order to comply with guidelines from the Department of Health, we are required to obtain a signed parental consent for children to be given first aid treatment and for the administration of over the counter medication (Calpol etc.) by the Sickbay staff. If a pupil requires medication, which has been prescribed by their GP, to be administered during the school day, the medication must be brought to Sickbay on arrival at school or handed to Mrs Napleton (a fully qualified First Aider), Pre-Prep Secretary, in the case of a Pre-Prep child. With the exception of inhalers and epipens, children may not carry medicines on them.

Illness or injury during the school day

Children who are taken ill during the day must report to Sickbay or if in the Pre-Prep to Mrs Napleton (who will then seek advice from Sickbay). Children are not allowed to phone home to ask to be collected if they are not well. We will then contact the parent should the child need to return home and the office will be informed.

It is most important that the school is provided with emergency telephone numbers so that parents may be contacted if a child is ill and needs to be taken home.

Mouth Guards

A mouth guard is required for girls in Year 3 and above and for boys in Year 4 and above.

We recommend professionally fitted mouth guards in preference to self-moulding mouth guards, which can be bought in sports shops. Your own dentist will be able to take a dental impression and supply a mouth guard. There is a mouth guard fitting in Sickbay before the start of the Autumn term. Alternatively, please call i-teeth dental care on 01892 616062.

Off Games

If a child is deemed unfit for games, an ‘off games’ note must be supplied by a parent to the office (Prep School or Pre-Prep). Supervision is provided for children who are ‘off games’. A further note should be sent to the office when a child is fit enough to return to games. Occasionally, Sickbay will provide an ‘off games’ note if they consider this appropriate.

In accordance with Department of Health guidelines, we ask that children who have suffered from either vomiting and / or diarrhoea be kept at home for 48 hours after the last incidence.