St Catherine's School
Medical Care and First Aid Policy

Reviewed by:	Senior Deputy Head
Last Reviewed:	March 2026
Next Review:	March 2028

SCHOOL MISSION We are inspired by St Catherine of Siena, who said ‘Be who God wants you to be, and you will set the world on fire’, to form young women of confidence and compassion, ready for service and leadership in the world. We fulfil our mission through these values:   Community: a place of cheerfulness, dignity and tolerance, where all are welcome Faith: a Christ-centred school with time for reflection; a culture of gratitude and friendship Courage: with self-knowledge, resilience and integrity, and a readiness for challenge Scholarship: where gifts are developed through curiosity, imagination and ambition Service: commitment to others, to stewardship, and to justice and hope for all

Every effort is made to care for the pupils' physical and mental development whilst they are at St Catherine’s. This policy should be read in conjunction with the School's Mental Health Policy.

Aims

1) To provide a policy which supports pupils and staff with medical needs in School  

2) To ensure First Aid provision within School is of high quality 

3) To provide guidance for all staff and pupils in the School regarding the procedure for First Aid care and protocols to follow in the event of an emergency  

4) To reduce and mitigate the risk of pupils and staff coming to physical harm

Objectives

We seek to achieve our aims through the following:

1) The provision of training:

• certificated First Aid training for identified key staff, based on their role and their usual location within the school building;

• provide support, education and training for any other staff requiring such development;

• provide basic First Aid training to all staff during INSET, on an annual basis;

• to train appropriate members of staff in the use of the on-site Automated External Defibrillator.

2) To ensure that all staff are aware of their roles, accountability and responsibilities in relation to Health and Safety

3)         To regularly review procedures and process to ensure best practice

4) To standardise and regularly check all First Aid boxes and the defibrillator 

5) To place notices around the School naming the First Aiders in the School   

6) To make literature available in the Staff Room on caring for key pupils with certain health conditions (see levels below)

7) Ensure all new pupils know the location of the Medical Centre and how to access medical help in the event of an emergency

1. Medical Information about Pupils

St Catherine’s takes its responsibilities regarding personal information and confidentiality very seriously. The school adheres to all GDPR requirements, and demonstrates its commitment to individual dignity by proactively engaging pupils and parents in discussion before medical details are shared.

The School shares medical information based upon sensitivity and need:

• ‘Low sensitivity’ refers to medical information that the school deems sufficiently important to share with all staff; decisions about who this should include will usually be based on the following criteria: any staff may need to intervene to ensure the pupil receives relevant treatment; the condition prohibits the pupil engaging fully in all activities; the pupil is receiving hospital-level care, or has done within the previous 12 months; examples of such information include, but are not limited to, epilepsy, anaphylaxis and diabetes. 

• ‘Medium sensitivity’ refers to medical information that is required by specific subject staff to ensure that the pupil can access their lessons safely, such as P.E. 

• ‘High sensitivity’ indicates information that does not need to be shared widely, but will be made available for school trips as detailed above.

Please note that Low, Medium and High refer to the sensitivity of information rather than the severity of the medical condition.

The School’s main processes for handling medical information are as follows.

• On admission to the School, all parents will be required to provide information (via the medical details form on My School Portal) giving full details of: medical conditions, allergies, regular medication, name of family doctor/consultants and special requirements (e.g. dietary, disability). Parents are also asked to provide consent to their child being given medications administered at school e.g. calpol. 

• A form to indicate changes to medical details or medication permissions is available on My School Portal. Parents are asked to complete this form to indicate any changes.

• All medical records are stored on the school’s MIS, iSAMS, and access is restricted according to sensitivity.  Information about allergies and medical conditions are also kept within iSAMS/.

• Low Sensitivity allergies and medical conditions are also displayed on a designated noticeboard in the staffroom. This information is also given to the catering manager and his/her team.

• Where pupils are travelling offsite for a school trip, the party leader is required to request the medical information in advance, as part of the trip organisation process. Medical information is downloaded onto the relevant trip phone which will be taken on the trip by the trip leader. If due to technical difficulties the medical information cannot be downloaded onto the trip phone, a hard copy of pupil medical details will be provided to the trip leader. This must be kept on the trip leader’s person at all times and destroyed on return.

• Where a pupil with a Low sensitivity allergy or medical condition is travelling on a trip, their condition will be noted within the risk assessment, and the trip leader will meet with the pupil and/or her parents, either in person or by phone, ahead of departure to discuss any arrangements she requires.

• Medical records are kept for five years after a pupil leaves the school.

1.1 Allergies

Allergies: Staff are informed of girls with severe allergies via INSET training, as are the lunchtime and catering staff, so that they may avoid contact with foods to which they are allergic. There is a list in the staffroom and in the School kitchen of pupils who have severe food allergies, accompanied by photographs and instructions on how to respond to the reaction. The school is ‘nut free’ and no nuts in any form are given to pupils at school. Staff receive training in how and when to use an adrenaline auto-injector ("Epipen"). Girls who may require the use of an "Epipen" for severe allergic reaction are required to keep the medicine on their person at all times, in school and when off site. Parents of girls with allergies are expected to keep the School regularly updated on their condition. 

1.2 Staffing:

• There is always at least one qualified first aider present in school during school hours. 

• The Medical Centre is in the centre of the school, on the ground floor, to the right of the Dining Room. 

• The following areas have an 'Appointed Person' as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act: Food, PE, Prep Department, Grounds/Premises, Science. 

The School Medical Centre is staffed by the school Reception team. Reception staff provide day-to-day first aid, treatment of minor illnesses, and care for pupils until they are taken home (if required).  If a pupil needs to be taken to hospital, and no parent or appropriate parental representative is available, the Head and/or Senior Deputy Head will assign a member of staff to go with her, taking into account her pastoral needs and the severity of the injury/illness.

2. Medication

• The School expects that parents will normally administer medication to their children. 

• Any requests for medicine to be administered by school staff must come via the relevant form on MSP, and include the name of the medicine, the dosage to be administered and the time it must be administered. 

• No pupil will be given medication in School without the consent of a parent or guardian. Parents are asked to provide consent on entry to the School via the Medical Details and Medication Form on MSP. At the beginning of each academic year the School advises parents to review and update their daughter’s medical details and consent information via MSP. 

• Before the administration of any medication in School, parental consent is checked on iSAMS.

• Where a pupil has been given medication in School, this is recorded on iSAMS. The iSAMS entry will include the illness or symptoms, time, dose and confirmation that parental consent has been given. 

• Parents/pupils should collect medicines held at school once the course has been completed. In the event that they are not collected, Reception Staff may dispose of the medication.  

• Medications are stored in a locked cupboard in the Medical Centre.  Any medications requiring refrigeration are kept in a lockable box within the fridge in the Medical Centre to prevent unauthorised access.

• Inhalers for asthma may be kept on the girl’s person, but a spare inhaler should be provided by parents and stored within the Medical Centre. Spare inhalers for all pupils are kept in the Medical Centre.  Emergency inhalers for use by any pupil, are kept in the Medical Centre and in the cupboard of the SEND Room in Prep.

• Epipens should be kept on the girl’s person and a spare epipen, clearly labelled, stored in the Medical Centre.  Emergency epipens for use on any pupil are kept in the Medical Centre and in the cupboard of the SEND Room in Prep.

• Medication for epilepsy is held in the Medical Centre.
  

It is the responsibility of the pupil to come to the Medical Centre to receive her medication at the correct time but the Reception staff will remind the pupil where there is a need, such as due to the pupil’s age or the severity of outcome if the pupil misses her medication. All administration of medication is recorded on iSAMS as described above.

3. Health and Safety

For the prevention of accidents and Risk Assessment arrangements, please see the Health and Safety Policy.

4. Infections and Contagious illnesses

Infectious diseases will occur in many pupils and staff, of all ages. These will obviously vary in type from mild, e.g. the common cold, to more severe. We require parents to inform the school as soon as possible of any communicable disease their child may have, so that the School may take appropriate action. The School will take appropriate action, informing parents, staff and health authorities where necessary.

In the case of head lice infestations, parents are informed and asked to check and treat their children. Parents of other pupils in the same year group will also be informed.

4. First Aid Administration

5.1 First Aiders

There are nominated persons to administer First Aid on the school premises. These persons will all have undergone First Aid training. The HR Manager holds the list of qualified first aiders in all departments, in both Senior School and Prep Department.  She ensures that all first aiders attend refresher courses every three years. Copies of certificates are held in individual staff files.

The principal people to administer First Aid on the school premises are the Reception staff. 

If the Reception staff are not present when a pupil attends or if medical help is needed urgently, pupils or staff report to the Senior Deputy Head/Head of Prep.

5.1.1 First Aiders

First Aid Training is conducted regularly and this list held by the HR Manager is updated accordingly.  The list of First Aiders is published on signs around the school and in the staff handbook.  At the time of this policy’s review, the following staff were qualified in First Aid:

First Aiders

Name	Department	Qualification Date
Ms M Baker	Reception	July 2023
Mrs A Oakley	Prep	December 2023
Mrs K Mercer	PE	January 2024
Mrs R Comb	Prep	March 2024
Mrs L Eagers	Science	March 2024
Miss R Jones	Admin	August 2024
Miss A Uren	PE	August 2024
Miss S Rosselli	Science	August 2024
Ms T Cheung	Reception	August 2024
Mrs A Winfield	Prep	August 2024
Mrs J Clarke	Prep	August 2024
Mrs A Knights	Prep	August 2024
Mrs O Graham	Chaplaincy	August 2024
Mrs G Kelly	Reception	July 2025
Mrs L Conway	Prep	August 2025
Mrs L Walters	PE	August 2025
Miss Z Feenan	PE	August 2025
Ms C Sharps	Prep	August 2025
Mrs N Kotecha	Reception	August 2025
Mrs M Ivanova	Site Team	August 2025
Mr S Belk	Science	August 2025
Mrs J Kassanis	Admin	August 2025
Mrs J Proudfoot	Creative Arts	August 2025
Mrs R Vanni	Performing Arts	August 2025

All the staff named above have had training on the use of the defibrillator (AED) which is kept in Reception.

5.2 First Aid Equipment

It is the responsibility of the Reception staff to check the contents of each First Aid bag (see list in Appendix 4), whenever it is brought back from a school trip and before one is given to a teacher for any off site activity. The contents of First Aid bags comply with health and safety guidelines and do not include any medicines or topical treatments.  

There is a refrigerator which is located in the Medical Centre to store ice packs.

It is the duty of the Reception staff to make regular checks (every main school holiday) of all the First Aid boxes situated in the school buildings. First Aiders are reminded to let the Reception staff know if they have used any items.

In the Senior School, first aid boxes are situated in the Art, Food and Nutrition and Science Departments, Dining Room (kitchen), the Medical Centre and Prep Department Classrooms. Eye wash stations are located in the Science Department and are checked on a half-termly basis. Breakfast Club and After-School Club have first aid boxes. The minibus is equipped with a First Aid kit.

The defibrillator is kept in Reception together with spare adult and paediatric pads. The batteries are checked termly by Reception Staff.

5.3 PPE

PPE is available for staff administering First Aid, including masks, gloves, aprons and visors.  Stocks of face shields are also held.  In normal circumstances, these supplies are available from Reception. During Covid-19, supplies have also been placed around the school, and PE staff have been provided with portable kits.

5.4 Management of bodily fluids on site

Should bodily fluids (e.g. vomit, urine, faeces) need clearing up, the caretakers or the day cleaner will be called. They will use gloves, aprons, Body Spill Granules, scoops and scrapers. Once the solid matter has been compacted, removed and disposed of, the ground should be disinfected as appropriate.

Should bodily fluids come into contact with the clothing of another child, this clothing should not be sent home with that child. It should instead be cleaned in school and returned once clean.

5.5 Procedure if a pupil is unwell or has an accident

1. If a pupil is unwell in class or has an accident, she should be sent to the Reception.
   
   

2. Staff should be mindful of the pupil’s apparent condition, and consider whether to send another pupil with her for support. If there is particular concern, two pupils should be sent, one to remain with the patient if her condition suddenly worsens, and another to go to fetch help.  
   
   

3. A First Aider will assess the pupil and decide on the course of management. This may include: allowing the pupil to rest; giving some simple treatment, e.g. applying a bandage/plaster. 
   
   

4. The injured person should not be moved if there is any concern that doing so could increase their injuries. In colder, wet weather, it may be necessary to keep them warm and dry with a blanket or another item of clothing.  
   
   

5. If a pupil cannot be moved, other pupils should be removed from the area to provide privacy.
   
   

6. A First Aider should be called to examine the injured person and give such treatment as is appropriate. In the event the Reception staff are unavailable, the PA to the Head will radio to find the nearest available First Aider.  
   
   

7. If a pupil appears to be seriously injured, an ambulance should be called.
   
   

8. Staff should not use their own cars to take injured persons to hospital unless there is an exceptional reason for doing so, in which case another member of staff must accompany the driver with the pupil to hospital.  If necessary, a taxi may be called to take a pupil to hospital
   
   

9. In cases where an ambulance has been called, or there has been a head injury, the School will contact the parents as soon as possible.
   
   

10. The Reception staff records details in iSAMS and the care provided. Where there is a particular incident, and for pupils in the Prep department, an additional telephone call or email home to parents is made.
    
    

11. A pupil's parents will be contacted whenever a pupil presents with anything other than a minor complaint or accident. The Reception staff will inform parents of the pupil's illness and its severity and they will ask the parent/guardian to collect the pupil as soon as possible.  
    
    

12. The Reception staff will also communicate with the pupil's form teacher and keep them informed of the pupil's condition and outcome. Similarly the Head/Head of Prep will be informed in serious cases.
    
    

13. Where there has been a serious incident, other pupils and staff will be provided with pastoral support as appropriate.
    

5.6 First Aid for trips and visits off site

5.6.1 Planning

• Staff planning educational visits or journeys, should consider the level of First Aid cover that will be required.  If necessary, they should arrange for a First Aider to be one of the accompanying staff.  

• The teacher in charge of any outing off the School Premises has the responsibility of being acquainted with any specific medical needs of the pupils in his/her care, including having a knowledge of, for example, pupils with asthma, and their need for inhalers, and pupils with allergies at risk of anaphylaxis. 

• Fully completed risk assessments must identify pupils at risk on each trip. 

• Prior to overseas and/or residential educational trips and visits, parents will be asked to complete a Consent Form. This form will indicate whether a student is taking medication and give the staff permission to deliver it.  

• When educational visits occur in the summer, or involve visiting hot countries, parents will be asked by the trip organiser to provide the appropriate sunscreen and sun-hat for their child. This should be labelled. 

• Medical details, first aid kits and pupil medications should be requested by the Data Officer at least a week in advance of the trip departing.

5.6.2 During the trip

• The pupils’ medical details are uploaded to a school mobile phone by the Data Officer for use by the trip leader. 

• Only the First Aid kits issued by the School should be used. Should the nature of the trip mean that additional items are required, the party leader will consult the EVC over how these will be supplied and carried during the trip.

• No unauthorised items may be kept in the First Aid kit.  

• Should there be an accident or other emergency on the trip, the following steps are followed:

1. The injured person should not be moved if there is any concern that doing so could exacerbate his/her injuries. Keep the injured person warm.  
   

2. The member of staff responsible for the activity or an available First Aider should examine the injured person and give such treatment as is appropriate to his/her training.  
   
   

3. If hospital treatment is necessary, an ambulance should be called immediately.  
   
   

4. If it is felt an ambulance is not necessary and the injuries do not require urgent treatment, the injured person's next of kin should be called to transport to hospital.
   
   

5. In the event that the family cannot be contacted, one member of staff should accompany the person to hospital.  
   
   

6. In no circumstances should pupils be left unattended as a result of a member of staff transporting the injured person to hospital; in this instance, an ambulance should be called.  
   
   

7. All accidents should be reported in the Accident Book, which is held on Reception, by the member of staff present.   
   
   

8. Details of those accidents and injuries which should be reported to the Health and Safety Executive will be passed on to the Health and Safety Officer (Bursar) who will report the incidents.

5.6.3 After the trip

• First Aid kits must be returned to the designated area in School directly after the trip, together with a record of what has been administered, stating the date, time and reason. 

• Where there has been a significant incident, this should be reviewed with the relevant EVC. In addition, staff should liaise with the pupil’s pastoral team to discuss any further support she might need, and any ongoing contact with the family.

• Depending on the nature of an incident, it may be that other pupils also require pastoral support.

• Pupil medical details are removed from the school mobile phone by the Data Officer.

5.7 Accident Forms

Accident report forms are located in the Main Reception, which should be used for recording accidents, or near-miss accidents.  This form is to be completed by the member of staff who is present at the scene of an accident, and also by any first aider who is involved in the subsequent care of the pupil or member of staff. 

If the injured person is a member of staff, they are responsible themselves for completing the form in the appropriate accident book.

If an accident occurs off the School premises, the member of staff present should complete the Accident Form as soon as possible after returning to School.  Whilst it may be necessary to complete an additional accident form at the location of the accident, the School’s accident form must also be completed. Completed accident forms are then forwarded to the Bursar) for filing or RIDDOR action as appropriate.

Appendix 1 - iSAMS templates 

Administration of Medication 

Medical Centre Admissions

Medical Centre Record Overview

Appendix 2: specific arrangements for the treatment of a pupil suffering an asthma attack

Training

All staff receive annual training on recognising the characteristics of an asthma attack. These include: 

• shortness of breath

• wheezing

• difficulty speaking

• tight chest and coughing

• fast heartbeat

• dizziness

• blue lips or fingers 

• fainting

Actions

If a member of staff believes a pupil in their supervision is suffering from an asthma attack, they should seek immediate support from a First Aider.

The pupil should be sent to the Medical Centre if she is able to be moved; she should be accompanied by two other pupils (see guidance in policy above). If the pupil requires treatment in place, other pupils should be removed from the area to preserve the dignity and emotional wellbeing of all involved.  At no point should the pupil be left unsupervised.

The pupil should be guided to use her own inhaler/other treatment to manage the attack. If that pupil is not carrying an inhaler, she should use her spare inhaler (held in the Medical Centre). Prompt consideration will be given to whether an ambulance should be called, or other emergency medical help sought.

If for any reason there is no inhaler for that pupil available, and her symptoms are worsening, a First Aider may administer the use of one of the school's spare generic inhalers.  These are held in the Medical Centre, alongside a list of those pupils known to be asthmatic.  

The pupil’s parents should be contacted and in most cases it is likely that the pupil will need to be picked up and taken home for supervision/observation and/or further treatment.

Consent for use of generic inhalers

As part of their contract with the school, parents sign to confirm the school may use any means necessary to care for their daughter in the event of a life-threatening emergency. 

At all times, the school will follow any directions provided by the London Ambulance Service, or other qualified medical professionals. The school holds generic spare inhalers to be used in the event that a pupil’s inhaler is not available or in an emergency.

Appendix 3: specific arrangements for the treatment of a pupil suffering an anaphylactic reaction

Training

All staff receive annual training on recognising the characteristics of anaphylaxis. These include: 

• swelling around the face,  lips and tongue

• difficulty breathing

• hives or a rash

• fast pulse

• pale cold clammy skin

• collapsing and losing consciousness 

• ABC (one or all) A – Airway, B -breathing, C-Circulation.

This annual training also covers how to administer an EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector pen).

Actions

If a member of staff believes a pupil in their supervision is suffering from an anaphylactic reaction, or has come into contact with a substance that may cause them to suffer an anaphylactic reaction, they should seek immediate support from a First Aider.

The pupil should be sent to the Medical Centre if she is able to be moved; she should be accompanied by two other pupils (see guidance in policy above).  If the pupil requires treatment in place, other pupils should be removed from the area to preserve the dignity and emotional wellbeing of all involved.  At no point should the pupil be left unsupervised.

Treatment will be dictated by the severity of symptoms and according to information held on file; for example, it may be appropriate to treat the pupil with antihistamines initially and then monitor her closely.  If the reaction does become severe, the pupil’s EpiPen should be administered.  Preferably this will be undertaken by a First Aider; however, any member of staff may administer the EpiPen if no First Aider is available. If an EpiPen has been administered, an ambulance should be called immediately.  The pupil’s parents should be contacted as soon as possible, but doing so should not take precedence over commencing treatment.

Pupils with EpiPens are expected to carry one with them.  Wherever possible, a second is held for that pupil in the Medical Centre.  If for any reason there is no EpiPen for that pupil available, and her symptoms require immediate treatment, a First Aider may administer the use of one of the school's spare generic EpiPens.  These are held in the Medical Centre, alongside a list of those pupils known to be at risk of an anaphylactic reaction.  

In some cases, a pupil may require the administration of a second EpiPen injection while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance. 

Following the administration of an EpiPen, the pupil will require prompt hospital treatment.  At no point should the pupil be left unattended.  

Consent for use of generic EpiPens

As part of their contract with the school, parents sign to confirm the school may use any means necessary to care for their daughter in the event of a life-threatening emergency. 

At all times, the school will follow any directions provided by the London Ambulance Service, or other qualified medical professionals. The school holds generic spare EpiPens to be used in the event that a pupil’s inhaler is not available or in an emergency.

Appendix 4 - standard contents of First Aid kits

Contents may vary depending on the nature and venue of the activity, the girls participating and the distance from the school

• Leaflet with general guidance on first aid

• 20 Individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes)

• 2 Sterile eye pads

• 2 Individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile)

• 6 Medium sized (approximately 12 cm x 12 cm) individually wrapped sterile unmedicated wound dressing

• 6 various sized safety pins

• 2 large (approximately 18 cm x 18 cm) sterile individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings

• 1 pair of disposable gloves 

• Ice packs (one time only)

• Sanitary Pad

• Alcohol free cleansing wipes

• Eye wash 

• Face mask

• Latex gloves

• Anti-bacterial gel

• Dextrose sweets or similar glucose sweets