Is My Child Too Ill for School?
We know that it can sometimes be difficult for parents, guardians and carers to decide whether their child is well enough to attend school, particularly when they have a cough, cold, temperature or another common childhood illness.
The NHS guidance below provides helpful information to support families in making this decision and explains when children can continue attending school, when they should remain at home and when treatment or medical advice may be needed.
When can my child still attend school?
In many cases, children with mild illnesses such as a slight cough, cold, sore throat or runny nose can continue to attend school, provided they are otherwise feeling well and do not have a high temperature.
The guidance also provides advice for other common conditions, including conjunctivitis, cold sores, head lice, hand, foot and mouth disease, slapped cheek syndrome and threadworms. Some conditions do not necessarily require children to stay away from school, although treatment or additional precautions may be recommended.
When should my child stay at home?
There are some illnesses where children should remain at home to help them recover and reduce the risk of infection spreading to others.
For example, the guidance advises that children experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea due to illness should remain away from school until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours. There are also specific recommendations for illnesses including chickenpox, measles, scarlet fever and impetigo.
Please refer to the guidance sheet for the recommended absence periods and advice for each condition.
What if my child is worried or anxious about school?
Physical symptoms are not always caused by an illness. Feelings of worry or anxiety can sometimes lead to symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches or difficulties with eating and sleeping.
If your child is struggling with worries about attending school, we encourage you to speak to us as soon as possible so that we can explore the support available. Avoiding school can sometimes make worries about returning more difficult. If your child's difficulties continue and begin to affect their everyday life, the guidance recommends contacting your GP or school nurse for further support.
If your child is going to be absent...
If you decide that your child needs to remain at home due to illness, please remember to contact the school on the first day of their absence and let us know the reason why they will not be attending.
For further information about a particular illness or infection, parents and carers can also visit the NHS website and search for the specific condition or "Is my child too ill for school?"
Please have a look at the NHS guidance sheet for more detailed information about common childhood illnesses and when your child should return to school.