Woodthorpe Church of England Primary School

School Health

At Woodthorpe we have a fantastic relationship with our allocated school nurse. 

The School Nurse runs a confidential service in schools. They can help where young people and their families want advice or need to talk to someone about any worries relating to their health and well-being, as well as provide support and advice. They’ve seen it all before, so there is no need to feel worried or embarrassed about any issues you may have. 

What does the school nurse do?

School Nurses are registered nurses who have professional experience in supporting the health needs of all school aged children. They work as part of a skill mix team of specialist practitioners, school staff nurses, nursery nurses and support workers. They continue the work of the Health Visitor in promoting good health and prevention of illness in the school aged population. This is in line with the Department of Health ‘Healthy Child Programme’.

The school nursing team works with parents, carers, children and young people of school age providing advice and support on areas such as:
• Parenting
• Children with special needs and complex health needs
• Sleep/behaviour
• Allergies and asthma
• Development
• Eating problems
• Alcohol, drugs and smoking
• Emotional and mental health issues
• Sexual health and relationships

When to expect to see your School Nurse team?

Your school nurse will contact you at the following stages:

When your child starts in
• Reception – we will ask you to fill in a health questionnaire about your child’s health. We will also ask for your consent to see your child in school to be weighed and measured. If you identify that your child has some health needs, we will contact you to discuss further and possibly arrange to meet with you.
• Year 6 – we will offer you the opportunity to have your child weighed and measured again
• Year 7 – we will ask you to fill in a health questionnaire, much the same as we did when your child started Primary School
• Year 10 – you and your child will be sent a health questionnaire
• In addition: A member of the School Nursing team may meet with you at the school’s parent/teacher afternoons and evenings
Drop Ins are offered in all High Schools for young people to access their School Nurse.

Who do the School Nurses work with?

The school nurses often work with other agencies in the best interests of families, including, education staff, GPs, health visitors, speech therapists, hospital staff, therapists and both children and adult social services.
They may share confidential information with these agencies with your consent. They will only share information without permission when they have a duty of care due to serious concerns about the welfare or safety of a child or young person.

Please click on the link below for more information on the services the school nurse offers.

https://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/schoolnurse