Medicines in School

At New Moston Primary School, we want children with medical needs to be able to access school safely and participate fully in school life.

Where a child needs medication during the school day, we will work with parents and carers to put appropriate arrangements in place.

Medication should only be brought into school where it is necessary for a child to receive it during school hours.

Bringing Medicine into School

Parents and carers should contact the school before bringing medication into school so that the appropriate arrangements can be agreed.

Where medication is required, parents and carers will normally be asked to provide written information and consent for the school to administer or support the administration of the medicine.

Medication should:

• be provided in its original packaging;
• be clearly labelled with the child’s name;
• include clear instructions for dosage and administration; and
• be within its expiry date.

Please do not send medication into school with a child without first agreeing arrangements with a member of staff.

Prescribed Medicines

Where a prescribed medicine needs to be taken during the school day, the school will work with parents and carers to ensure that it can be administered safely.

Where possible, families may wish to speak to their healthcare professional about whether medication can be prescribed in doses that can be taken outside school hours.

Where this is not possible, appropriate arrangements can be made in school.

Non-Prescription Medicines

Parents and carers should contact the school where they believe their child requires non-prescription medication during the school day.

Any administration of non-prescription medicine must be agreed with the school in advance and managed in accordance with our procedures.

Emergency Medication

Some children require immediate access to emergency medication, such as:

• asthma inhalers;
• adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs); or
• other medication prescribed for use in an emergency.

Individual arrangements will be agreed for children who require emergency medication and, where appropriate, recorded within the child’s care plan.

Emergency medication will be stored so that it is safe while remaining readily accessible when needed.

Individual Care Plans

Some children who require medication in school may also need an Individual Health Care Plan, Allergy Care Plan, Asthma Care Plan or another appropriate care plan.

These plans help ensure that staff understand:

• the child’s medical needs;
• the medication required;
• how and when medication should be administered;
• signs or symptoms staff need to be aware of; and
• what to do in an emergency.

You can find further information on our Medical & Care and Allergy Safety pages.

Changes to Medication

Parents and carers must inform the school if:

• a child starts or stops medication;
• the dose or instructions change;
• new medication is prescribed;
• emergency medication is replaced;
• a child’s medical needs change; or
• medication held by school is approaching its expiry date.

Medication should never be altered from the instructions provided without appropriate authorisation.

Storage and Record Keeping

Medicines held by the school are stored appropriately and access is managed in accordance with the needs of the child and the type of medication.

Where school staff administer medication, an appropriate record will be maintained.

Arrangements are also made to ensure that required medication is available to children during activities such as educational visits and trips.

Supporting Independence

Where it is appropriate for a child’s age, maturity and medical needs, we will support them to become increasingly involved in managing their own health needs.

Any arrangements for a pupil to carry or manage their own medication will be agreed with parents and carers and considered as part of the child’s individual needs.

Contact Us

If your child requires medication during the school day, please contact our Pastoral Team so that the appropriate arrangements can be put in place.

Email: pastoral@newmoston.manchester.sch.uk
Telephone: 0161 681 1055

Please speak to us before sending medication into school.