Pupil Illness Policy
Policy on Pupil Illness in Cara Junior School
Deciding when to keep a child from school can be difficult, especially where a child may not be able to verbalise that they are unwell or in pain.
Some illnesses require absence from school to prevent infection spreading to other children or staff and to allow the child time to rest, recover and be treated.
Why this policy is important
Cara Junior School pupils may require a high level of support, supervision and routine during the school day. The school does not have nursing cover as part of the multi-disciplinary support team.
If a sick child is in class for the day, it may disrupt the educational activities of the class and may require significant staff attention. It may also increase the risk of infection spreading to other pupils and staff.
If a child becomes unwell during the day
If a child appears unwell during the school day, the school will contact parents or guardians where there are concerns about the child’s health or capacity to remain in school.
The school has a medical room where a child may rest while awaiting collection, but this is only an interim measure.
When to keep a child at home
Too Unwell for Activities
Keep the child at home if they are extremely tired, unusually irritable, crying without known cause, or not able to participate in normal activities.
Additional Care Needed
Keep the child at home if they need more care than staff can provide safely without affecting the health and safety of other pupils.
Restrictions Needed
If a child needs restrictions such as no PE, no yard or reduced activity, they may need to remain at home.
Infectious Illness
If a condition can be passed to other pupils or staff, the child should remain at home until the risk of infection has passed.
Poor Sleep or Exhaustion
If a child has not slept well or has been awake since early morning, consider keeping them at home under observation.
After Laxatives
If laxatives have been administered, the policy advises keeping the child at home for 24 hours.
Common illness and symptom guidance
The table below summarises the main guidance from the policy in a website-friendly way. Parents and guardians should seek medical advice where necessary.
| Illness or Symptom | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Remain at home until the child has no fever for 24 hours, indicating antibiotics are taking effect. |
| Asthma | Absence is needed if the pupil has had an asthma attack and requires recovery time. The school should have a written health plan and medication authorisation. |
| Body rash with fever | Seek medical advice. The pupil may return when a medical practitioner determines the illness is not communicable. |
| Chicken pox or shingles | Remain at home until blisters have dried and crusted, usually 5–6 days after onset of rash. |
| Conjunctivitis | May return 24 hours after treatment begins. If a GP decides not to treat, a note is required. |
| Severe cough, runny nose or mucus | Medical attention may be necessary, especially with uncontrolled coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. |
| Diarrhoea | Pupils and staff with gastrointestinal illness should stay at home until symptom-free for at least 48 hours. |
| Vomiting | Parents will be contacted to collect the child immediately. Stay at home until symptom-free for at least 48 hours. |
| Fever with behaviour changes or illness | Exclusion is necessary where fever is accompanied by behaviour changes or signs of illness. |
| Headlice | Children may return after treatment and removal of live lice and nits from hair. |
| Impetigo / Staph / MRSA | May return 24 hours after treatment starts. Wound must be covered with dressing taped on all four sides. |
| Ringworm | May return after treatment begins. Area should be covered in school for the first 48 hours. |
| Scabies | May return after treatment is started with a note from GP. |
| Strep throat | May return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and no fever for 24 hours. |
| Vaccine preventable diseases | Remain at home until judged not infectious by a medical practitioner. |
| Slapped cheek syndrome | Medical advice may be needed. Keep child at home until rash has presented and they are no longer contagious. |
Policy review
The uploaded policy notes that it was ratified by the Board of Management on 21 March 2013, reviewed during the 2016–2017 school year, and ratified again on 6 March 2018. The next scheduled review noted in the document was the 2022–2023 school year.
Contact the School Office
If your child is unwell or you need guidance about attendance due to illness, please contact the school office.
Cara Junior School
Banduff Road, Mayfield, Cork, T23 TA12
Phone: 021 4643060
Email: office@carajs.ie