Should I Keep My Child Off School?

Beacon of Light School is sharing important guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on when children should stay at home from school due to illness.

This advice aims to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions about whether their child should attend school when feeling unwell.

According to the guidance, children should be kept off school if they exhibit certain symptoms of infectious illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhoea or a high temperature. The document outlines specific conditions under which children should stay at home and when they can safely return to school after recovering.

For example, if a child has had a fever, they should remain at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours. Similarly, if a child experiences vomiting or diarrhoea, they should stay at home for 48 hours after the last episode.

The guidance also includes advice on specific illnesses, such as colds, chickenpox and conjunctivitis, providing clear instructions on how to manage these conditions while ensuring children return to school at the appropriate time.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to follow the UKHSA's advice to protect their children and others, and to help reduce the spread of illness in school settings. For more detailed information, the full guidance can be found here.

For any further questions, please contact the school office.