ST THOMAS GARNET'S SCHOOL

Asthma Policy

Introduction

This policy states the school’s philosophy on how it will make a positive contribution to achieving the five key outcomes of Every Child Matters:

·         Being healthy

·         Staying safe

·         Enjoying and achieving

·         Making a positive contribution

·         Economic well being

This school:

• Welcomes all pupils with asthma
• Will encourage and help children with asthma to participate fully in all aspects of school life
• Recognizes that immediate access to an inhaler is vital
• Will do all it can to make sure that the school environment is favourable to children with asthma
• Will ensure that other children understand asthma so that they can support their friends; so that children with asthma can avoid the stigma sometimes attached to this chronic condition
• Has clear understanding of what to do in the event of a child having an asthma attack
• Will work in partnership with parents, trustees, health professionals, school staff and children to ensure the successful implementation of a school policy

To achieve these aims we will:

• Make sure that everyone involved in the child’s education is aware of the needs of children with asthma
• Make an opportunity for children who have exercise-induced asthma to take a puff of their inhaler before they start exercise and to be aware that some children are shy of doing this in public
• Make sure that children bring their inhalers to the hall for gym,  the sports field, on school trips and to the swimming pool in Junior 4
• Make sure that children who say they are too wheezy to continue take their reliever inhaler and rest until they feel better
• Keep a register of all children suffering from asthma that will include details of the pupil’s current treatment and name of GP. Ensure that all members  of staff are aware of the pupils on the register
• Plan regular training for staff from the school nurse, including training on what to do in the event of a child having an asthma attack
• Ensure that the school has a complete smoking ban
• Let all staff, trustees and parents of children with asthma have a copy of this updated policy.
• Display guidance on what to do in the event of an asthma attack prominently in the Staff Room and in the Staff Handbook and ensure all staff are aware of it
• Ensure child’s reliever is accessible at all times. As soon as the child is able, allow them to keep this inhaler with them at all times if this is necessary,  in their pockets or in an inhaler pouch Keep younger children’s inhalers in a safe place in class clearly marked with the child’s name.
• Ensure parents complete relevant forms for children to receive their medication in school.

POLICY REVIEWED  ………………………………………………………………………