Boothroyd Primary Academy
Drugs and Medicine Policy – updated September 2014
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This policy was formulated by a Working Party of the Governing Body,
in consultation with school staff and the Curriculum Committee and approved by the
Governing body. Updated in November 2013 and again in September 2014.
The policy and procedures will be regularly reviewed and their effectiveness
evaluated, taking into account the views of all sections of the school community.
Background and Context
Boothroyd Primary Academy is situated in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire and serves an
area of high unemployment and social disadvantage. The ‘ward’ is in the bottom 10%
for social deprivation. Most of the children who attend the school live locally. There are
about 495 children on roll, with a very high proportion of pupils who have English as an
additional language (92%).
The school has a commitment to promoting Health Education as an integral part of
the school ethos, encouraging children to appreciate the benefits of a healthy
lifestyle. We aim to teach children about the adverse effect of certain drugs and
smoking on their health and the benefit of other drugs in common use.
The school maintains a no smoking policy throughout school and its immediate
environment. The overall aim of drug education in the school is to provide the
opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge skills, attitudes and understanding
in relation to drug issues.
This policy reflects the shared values and aims of our school, providing guidance to
teachers, support staff, parents, governors, outside agencies and pupils. This policy links
to and is informed by other policies regarding, P.S.H.C.E, Science, Health Education,
Behaviour, Assessment, Child Protection, Equal opportunities, Special Educational
Needs and Confidentiality.
3.
3.1
Definition of the Term ‘Drugs’.
For the purpose of this policy ‘drugs’ are defined as all legal drugs, including alcohol,
tobacco, volatile substances, all over-the-counter drugs, prescription medicines and
all illegal drugs (those controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.) We accept that
‘drugs’ are a substance people take to change the way they feel, think or behave
(Drugs: Guidance for schools 2004).
4.
4.1
Responsibility for the Policy and Implementation
Theprincipal takes overall responsibility for this policy and its implementation in school.
This responsibility includes liaison with governors, parents, the LEA and other
appropriate outside agencies.
The P.S.H.C.E. co-ordinator has the responsibility for policy development and review
and also for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of the policy.
Staff in school will ensure that the health, welfare and well-being of pupils with drug
related issues are addressed in an appropriate and sensitive manner. The Senior
Leadership Team, teaching staff, governors and outside agencies have been involved
with development of this policy.
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5.
5.1
Local and National Guidance and Support
Our aim is to approach drugs education and the use of medicines in school, in line
with the National Curriculum Orders and guidance, The SEN and Disability Act 2001
(SEND), Drugs: Guidance for Schools 2004, Managing Medicines in schools 2005,
Guidelines on Supporting Children and Young People with Medical Needs Including
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Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings 2007, Circular 4/95 ‘Drug
Prevention and Schools DFES, PASSPORT and the Kirklees PSHCE Toolkit.
6.
6.1
Aims
Boothroyd Primary Academy acknowledges that the number of young people who
use and misuse drugs is rising and we take this issue very seriously. We recognise the
fact that drug misuse is a major threat to individuals, families and the wider
community. We feel that education can play a key role in tackling the problem.
We state that unauthorised drugs have no place within Boothroyd’s community and
our first concern is to safeguard the health of others when managing drug incidents.
We aim to provide a whole school programme, appropriate to our pupils’ needs,
developing knowledge and understanding, attitudes and personal and social skills,
which help pupils to lead a fulfilled life without drug misuse. Our drug education caters
for all children regardless of ability, race, gender or ethnicity and provides accurate
information relevant to pupil’s ages.
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Within drug education Boothroyd aims to:
develop self-awareness, self-esteem and interpersonal skills.
enable pupils to make healthy, informed choices by building on knowledge and
understanding, exploring their own and other people’s attitudes and developing and
practising skills.
promote positive attitudes towards healthy lifestyles.
provide accurate information about drugs and about the relevant rules and laws.
increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of use and
misuse.
encourage an understanding for those experiencing or likely to experience drug use.
widen understanding about related health and social issues.
8.
8.1
The Management of Drug Education
Drug education is taught within timetabled lessons of Science and PSHCE and
teaching styles enable children to actively participate in lessons through circle-time,
role-play, speaking and listening activities, visitors, visits and theatre in education. The
different learning styles (visual, auditory and kinaesthetic) of our pupils are met, to
ensure all children can access the curriculum.
9.
9.1
Assessing, Monitoring and Evaluating Drug Education
Pupil’s needs may be determined at the beginning of each unit of work in order to
identify misconceptions about drugs and to enable children to gain a full
understanding of objectives taught. Children are involved with evaluating their
learning through various activities such as draw and write, quizzes, reflecting on
objectives (traffic lights activity) and answering relevant questions. This information is
then used to inform future planning.
Monitoring and evaluation of drug education and this policy will be carried out in line
with the school’s assessment policy. The review of this documentation will take place
as identified at the top of the policy unless the School Development Plan, school
management or DCSF dictate otherwise. The Governors, PSHCE co-ordinator and SLT
will review this policy every two years, assess its implementation and effectiveness and
ensure the policy is promoted and implemented throughout school.
9.2
10.
10.1
Training and support for Staff
The training needs of staff differs depending on their role. Training will be given through
INSET days and also during staff meetings, when training is needed or requested.
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11.
The Management of Legal Drugs at School (Medicines)
11.1
Boothroyd Academy recognises that during a child’s school life medicines may need
to be taken. Children may have:
Short term needs- e.g. a course of antibiotics. Boothroyd Academy will only accept
medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, a pharmacy prescriber or a nurse
prescriber. Non- prescribed medicines are not to be administered by any school staff.
Parents must come into school to administer any non- prescribed medicines they wish
their child to take. In the case of an off-site visit, a responsible adult may administer a
travel sickness pill, if it is in the best interest of the child. For any medication to be
administered on site or off site a Parental Agreement Form for School to Administer
Medicine must be completed and signed by the parent (Appendix 2). An agreement
of Headteacher form must also be completed (Appendix 3).
11.2
Long term need- If a child has a long term medical condition, an Individual Health
Care plan (Appendix 4) must be completed for the child, stating the medical
condition, medicine, family details etc. It is likely that the same member of staff would
administer the medicine for this child and an Agreement of Headteacher form should
be completed for that child and member of staff (Appendix 3).
11.3
At Boothroyd Academy no medicines will be administered to a child without written
consent from the parents (Parental Agreement Form for School to Administer Medicine
must be completed and signed by the parent Appendix 2). All medicines to be
administered must be accompanied by written instructions from the parent or doctor
specifying the type of medicine, circumstances in which it should be given, the
frequency and dosage levels. This will be shown on the Parental Agreement Form for
School to Administer Medicine (Appendix 2).
11.4
If a child refuses to take a medicine that should be administered, school staff will not
force them to do so. The reason for refusal by the child will be recorded and the child’s
parent will be informed as a matter of urgency.
12.
Practice and Record Keeping
Staff at Boothroyd Academy will follow the standard practice listed below when
administering medicines.
Check the written instructions received by the school and confirm with details on the
medical container.
Check the prescribed dosage.
Check the expiry date of the medicine.
Check timing/ frequency details.
Check record of last dosage given (Appendix 5/6).
Measure out the prescribed dose.
Check the child’s name on the medicine again.
Complete a written record of dosage given, including date, time and signature.
Unless it is an emergency, any medication given should be in a situation where privacy
and confidentiality may be maintained.
If possible have two people available when administering the medication.
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12.2
For the long term needs of a child, record the information on Record of Medicine
Administered to an Individual Child form (Appendix 5). For the short term needs
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of a child record the information on form Medicines Administered to All Children
(Appendix 6). Forms to be completed by parents and members of staff should be
added to the Drugs and Medicines file which is kept in the school office.
13.
13.1
Training of Staff
The headteacher must be satisfied that any training received by staff to administer
medication is sufficient for its purpose, before a member of staff is allowed to
administer any medication. An Agreement of Headteacher form should be
completed by the headteacher (Appendix 3). It is the responsibility of the
headteacher to ensure that staff working with children who have more complex
needs, will be trained by a qualified health professional. Boothroyd School recognises
that all schools are entitled to training provided by health professionals, on all medical
conditions (National Service Framework for Children and Young People and Maternity
Services).
14.
14.1
Dealing with Medicines Safely
Boothroyd Academy will not store large volumes of medicines. Staff will only store,
supervise and administer medicines that have been prescribed for an individual child.
Medicines must be kept in the container supplied with it, which must be clearly
labelled with the:
Name of child
Dose/ frequency
Instructions
Date of dispensing
Any Cautionary advice
Expiry date
14.2
Parents will be told that they have the responsibility to ensure medicines do not
exceed their expiry date. Staff will give any expired medicines back to the parent and
it is the responsibility of the parent to dispose of the medicine.
14.3
Most medicines will be kept locked away in the office, with access being readily
available to the appropriate members of staff. Medicines such as inhalers will be kept
in classrooms where a child may access their inhaler if needed. Any medicine needing
refrigeration, will be kept in a fridge in the school office.
15.
15.1
Emergency Procedures
If there is an emergency and a child needs medical treatment at a hospital, the
emergency services must be called out. Staff at Boothroyd Academy will not take a
child to hospital in their car, they will wait with the child, until the emergency services
arrive. A member of staff will then accompany the child to hospital in the ambulance
and parents will be contacted by the school immediately.
If a child becomes unwell or is injured at school, the school will contact the parent as a
matter of urgency and it will be the parent’s responsibility to look after the child and
visit the GP or hospital if needed.
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16.
16.1
Allergies
Children with any allergies must have a Health Care Plan- Allergies and Anaphylaxis,
(Appendix 7) in school. This should be completed by the health service, school and
parents. Parents must be asked to complete a consent form for the school nurse to
contact the child’s doctor if needed (Appendix 8,) in order to develop a health care
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16.2
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16.4
plan for the child. If the child is not at risk of anaphylactic shock but the child has a
mild allergy, it is the school’s policy that parents inform the school in writing. These
parents must also be asked to complete a consent form for the school nurse to
contact the child’s doctor if needed (Appendix 8), so the child’s health needs can be
addressed.
We recommend children with severe allergies bring a packed lunch from home or
have a home dinner. If parents wish their child to stay for a school dinner, the
headteacher will arrange a meeting with the parent to explain KMC Catering DSO
(Appendix 9).
During cookery and science, any experiments with food should address the needs of
the child with the allergy. Staff at the school will identify appropriate control measures
to reduce any risks.
When celebration events take place at Boothroyd Academy, letters will be sent out to
ask parents of those children with allergies to send food for their child only, so any risk
of anaphylactic shock is reduced. As a school we can not guarantee that food being
brought in by other children has not come into contact with foods that the children
may be allergic to.
17.
The Management of Illegal Drugs at School
17.1
The school believes that the possession and misuse of drugs in school or during the
school day is totally unacceptable. Members of staff who find evidence of drug misuse
must report this information to the head teacher or SLT immediately. The head teacher
retains full onsite responsibility for deciding how to respond to particular incidents.
17.2 The agreed procedure for Boothroyd Academy is:
1. Report to the head teacher.
2. The head teacher is to investigate and decide on the school’s response, which may
vary due to the nature of the incident, however, in incidents involving children the
safety of the child is paramount.
3. The head teacher will contact the child’s parents/ carers at the earliest opportunity
and may also need to contact
 G.P. Ambulance/ Hospital, where necessary
 LEA and D.A.T. (Drugs Action Team)
 Social services
 The Police
 Specialist drug agencies
4. Kirklees guidance on drug incidents will be followed (see appendix one).
17.3
The school’s policy on confidentiality will be adhered to at all times by all staff. The
head teacher will be responsible for talking to the media in the event that reporting
the incident to the media is in the best interest of pupils, parents/ carers and the school
community. No other member of staff should speak to the media about any drug
related issues.
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Appendices
Appendix 1- Kirklees Guidance on Drug Incidents
Appendix 2 – Form 3b Parental agreement form for schools to administer medicines.
Appendix 3 – Form 4 Agreement of Headteacher of setting to administer medicine.
Appendix 4 – Sheet 1. Individual Health Care plan.
Appendix 5 – Sheet 3. Record of medicine administered to an individual child.
Appendix 6 – Form 6 Record of medicines administered to all children.
Appendix 7 – Allergy and Anaphylaxis- Individual Health Care Plan
Appendix 8 – Sheet 4. Letter requesting parental consent re allergies.
Appendix 9 – Form 11 KMC Catering DSO policy and procedures.
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