1. Sex education policy
2. Headlice
1. Sex Education
The School Governors have approved a Policy of Sex Education that forms an integral part of the Health Education Programme within the School. Opportunities arise during topics related to the body and "Ourselves" that all children follow and are taught to realise that their bodies do change with age. Much of the work is encompassed within the Science programme set out clearly in the National Curriculum. All older children receive a Programme of Work about Puberty and Drug Awareness. This is seen as the culmination of the Health Education Programme but is never viewed as an isolated area of study.
2. Headlice
Occasionally, whether they are in or out of school, children can pick up headlice. Here is some information on identifying the problem, treatment and prevention.
Recognition
Adult head lice are quick moving, being insects, which darken after
feeding. They are the size of a match head and are transmitted only
by contact. They prefer clean heads, living close to the scalp, drinking
blood and enjoying the warmth, which its eggs ('nits') must have if
they are to hatch. These plump, shiny scalp coloured 'pin-heads' are
cemented just above the roots of individual hairs. By the time the hair
has grown half an inch the content of the egg has hatched or died of
cold. It is therefore harmless at that distance from the scalp. Old
eggshells found well away from, the scalp are white.
Treatment
Do inspect your child's scalp every week,
under a good light, especially round the ears, crown and neckline. A
good time is just before the child's weekly shampoo. If he/she has an
itchy scalp or if you have heard of an outbreak, look repeatedly.
Do ask the opinion of a nurse or doctor
if you're in doubt.
Do use an appropriate head lice comb first.
This breaks the legs of the head lice and prevents the laying of eggs.
It is vital that all the family follow this approach for it to be effective.
Do use an insecticidal lotion readily available
from your local nurse or Pharmacist. The lotion to be used at the moment
is SULEO M (asthmatics DERBAC M).
Do treat the whole family if one member
is infested.
Do rub the lotion all over the scalp protecting
the child's eyes. Allow it to dry naturally away from open flames or
hair dryers. Wash the hair after 12 hours. If the child goes swimming
within the 12 hours, repeat the treatment.
Don't feel ashamed if your child catches
lice. Research has proved lice prefer clean hair.
Don't use insecticidal shampoo. They are
weak and therefore assist an immune strain of louse to emerge.
Don't apply the lotion to wet hair. If the child has been swimming wash
and dry the hair before applying the lotion.
Don't comb out the treated nits unless
you want to. It is uncomfortable for the patient, uses a lot of time
and is quite unnecessary, as they will never hatch.
Don't keep your information to yourself.
If your friend knows what you know, his/her child will stay free of
infection.
Don't use lotion if your child has skin
problems. Ask the doctor or Pharmacist for advice first.
Prevention
Do brush and comb your child's hair nightly
until they learn to do it themselves. Be thorough. Injured lice never
survive to lay eggs and good grooming easily injures them.
Do tell the school and the parents of your
children's friends that your child was infected. Note the date on which
you used the lotion for future reference.
