--- title: "When should I keep my child off school?" url: "https://st-bede-s-catholic-primary-school-2.schudio.com/information/when-should-i-keep-my-child-off-school" school: "St Bede’s Catholic Primary School" --- **Tel:** 01325 466411 **Email:** admin@stbedesdarlington.bhcet.org.uk # When should I keep my child off school? #### **When should I keep my child off school?** For most cases, the general rule is, a child should be absent if they have vomited, have diarrhoea or a high temperature. Please see below for details of the most common ailments and illnesses. #### **Respiratory infection, including Covid-19** Children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend school. Children who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend. #### **Coughs and colds** Children can go to school. Children can be given paracetamol and ibuprofen before school. They should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. #### **Croup** Keep your child off school if they have a temperature. Children should return to school once their temperature is normal. A lingering cough is no reason to keep them at home. #### **Headache, earache and stomach ache** Children with headache, earache or stomach ache can go to school - just let the staff know they have felt unwell. Children can be given paracetamol before school. They should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. #### **Sore throat, tonsillitis and glandular fever** Children can go to school. Children can be given paracetamol before school if unwell or in pain. They should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. #### **High Temperature** Keep your child off school until their fever goes away. #### **Diarrhoea and Vomiting** In most cases, children can return to school 2 days after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. - Children should be in school with stomach ache. (see above). #### **Headlice** Children can go to school with head lice but they must be treated for the condition to prevent further spreading. Please inform the office. #### **Threadworm** You don't need to keep your child off school if they have threadworms. Speak to your pharmacist or GP, who can recommend a treatment. Please inform the school office. #### **Slapped Cheek Syndrome** You don't need to keep your child off school if they have slapped cheek syndrome, because once the rash appears, they're no longer infectious. If you suspect your child has slapped cheek syndrome, take them to see a GP and let their school know if they're diagnosed with it. #### **Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease** If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease but seems well enough to go to school, there's no need to keep them off. Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues straight away and to wash their hands regularly #### **Chicken Pox** The usual exclusion period is 5 days, however, all lesions should be crusted over before children return to nursery or school. #### **Conjunctivitis** Children can go to school. Treatment should be sought from a pharmacist or doctor. #### **Further Information** The links below offer further advice on the above ailments and more. - [NHS - Is my child too ill for school?](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/) - [NHS A-Z of health](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/) You should be able to find guidance on all illnesses here. The Website contains links to external third party websites to help you find information that may be relevant to you quickly and easily. The school is not responsible for, and does not control, approve, or endorse these sites or the information contained therein. If you access any of the external websites linked to on the Website, you do so entirely at your own risk and the school accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage that you may suffer as a result. 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