The health and wellbeing of our pupils is paramount. Our fully equipped medical centre, staffed by qualified nurses throughout the day and early evening, ensures pupils receive prompt, professional care whenever they need it. Throughout the evening and night, the matrons are qualified first aiders and can administer medication. Parents can have complete confidence that their children’s health needs are expertly managed.
Our purpose-built medical centre is equipped to manage a wide range of health needs. The facilities include
Our nursing team is led by Kate Hooper, Lead Nurse, has extensive experience in school healthcare. The team includes registered nurses along with bank nurses to provide additional cover.
All nurses are registered and undertake regular continuing professional development. Nurses are trained in pediatric first aid, anaphylaxis management, medication administration and a range of chronic condition management.
The medical centre is staffed 12 hours a day, 5 days a week plus allocated hours over the weekend during term time. This means that boarders always have access to professional healthcare during the week and weekends. A matron is on duty overnight in the boarding houses to respond to any health needs that arise.
We support pupils with a wide range of health conditions and work closely with families and healthcare professionals to ensure individual needs are met.
We have experience managing conditions including
For each pupil with a chronic condition, we develop an Individual Healthcare Plan in consultation with parents and medical professionals. This document outlines the condition, management strategies, medications, emergency procedures and who needs to know what. Staff receive training on specific conditions affecting pupils in their care.
Minor illnesses like colds, coughs, stomach upsets and headaches are managed in the medical centre. Pupils rest comfortably while nurses monitor their condition. For more serious illnesses or if pupils do not improve, we contact parents to collect them.
Our nurses are trained in first aid and wound care. Minor injuries are treated on site. For more significant injuries, we can arrange X-rays or hospital visits as appropriate. Parents are informed of all injuries and the treatment provided.
Medication administration is taken very seriously with robust procedures to ensure safety:
Parents must provide written consent and detailed instructions. Medications are stored securely and administered by nurses at prescribed times. Controlled drugs are stored in a locked cabinet with administration witnessed and recorded.
We can administer pain relief (paracetamol, ibuprofen), antihistamines and other common medications with parental consent. Generic consent is obtained at the start of each academic year.
Older pupils may self-administer certain medications (like inhalers) under nurse supervision once competency is demonstrated.
All medication administration is recorded with details of date, time, dose and any observed effects or side effects.
We facilitate NHS immunization programmes when delivered to schools, including flu vaccinations and teenage booster vaccines. Parents are informed in advance and consent is always obtained.
We conduct routine health screening including
Communication with parents about health matters is a priority. We contact parents
For minor matters (small cuts, minor headaches that resolve quickly), we inform parents at collection time or via email for boarders.
In a medical emergency, we call 999 immediately and provide first aid while waiting for the ambulance. Parents are contacted straight away. A member of staff always accompanies a child to hospital and stays with them until parents arrive. We have detailed emergency procedures in place and staff are trained annually in emergency response.
Yes, pupils with asthma can carry their reliever inhaler once they demonstrate they can use it safely and responsibly. We also keep a spare inhaler in the medical centre and inhalers are available in sports areas. PE staff are aware of pupils with asthma and monitor them during activities.
Food allergies are taken extremely seriously. Our catering team is fully briefed on all allergies and prepares safe meals. Pupils with severe allergies have Individual Healthcare Plans and staff are trained in recognizing anaphylaxis and administering auto-injectors (EpiPens). We maintain multiple EpiPens in different locations for quick access. Allergy awareness is embedded throughout school life.
We need comprehensive information about any health conditions, allergies, medications, immunizations and previous serious illnesses or hospitalizations. This information is collected through registration forms and medical questionnaires. Please inform us immediately of any changes to your child’s health status. The more we know, the better we can care for your child.
For medical queries or to discuss your child’s health needs, please contact Kate Hooper, Lead Nurse, at medicent@windlesham.com or call 01903 874700 and ask for the medical centre.
All medical information is treated with strict confidentiality. Information is shared only with staff who need to know to keep your child safe and healthy. Medical records are stored securely and accessed only by authorized personnel.
