Infection Control Policy - Lady Margaret Primary School

Introduction

This policy has been written following guidance from Public Health England guidance on infection control and winter readiness.

Aim and objectives

This policy aims to provide the school community with guidance when preparing for, and in the event of an outbreak of an infection such as pandemic influenza or any contagious illness.

Principles

The school recognises that infections such as influenza pandemics are not new. No-one knows exactly when the school will be faced with having to deal with a potentially contagious illness amongst its community.

We recognise the need to be prepared. Infections are likely to spread particularly rapidly in schools and as children may have no residual immunity, they could be amongst the groups worst affected.

We recognise that closing the school may be necessary in exceptional circumstances in order to control an infection. However we will strive to remain open unless advised otherwise. Good pastoral care includes promoting healthy living and good hand hygiene.

School staff will give pupils positive messages about health and well-being through lessons and through conversations with pupils.

Planning and preparing

In the event of the school becoming aware that a pupil or member of staff has an infectious illness we would direct their parents to report to their GP and inform the local PHE centre. During an outbreak of an infectious illness such as pandemic influenza the school will seek to operate as normally as possible but will plan for higher levels of staff absence. The decision on whether school should remain open or close will be based on medical evidence. This will be discussed with the Health Protection Agency. It is likely that school will remain open but we recognise the fact that both the illness itself and the caring responsibilities of staff will impact staff absence levels. The school will close if we cannot provide adequate supervision for the children.

Infection Control

Infections are usually spread from person to person by close contact, for example:

Infected people can pass a virus to others through large droplets when coughing, sneezing or even talking within a close distance.
Through direct contact with an infected person: for example, if you shake or hold their hand, and then touch your own mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.
By touching objects (e.g. door handles, light switches) that have previously been touched by an infected person, then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.
Viruses can survive longer on hard surfaces than on soft or absorbent surfaces.

HAND WASHING IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF INFECTION CONTROL IN SCHOOLS

Staff and children are given the following advice about how to reduce the risk of passing on infections to others:

Classroom staff to:

Encourage regular hand washing using liquid soap and disposable hand towels – especially before eating and after visiting the toilet.
Suspend use of play sand, water and play do and dispose of these.
Send pupils and staff home who are exhibiting symptoms and advise them not to return for 48 hours after symptoms are gone.
Sanitise all toys and resources using a solution of Milton.
Staff to wear aprons and gloves for cleaning.
Notify caretaker if carpets or flooring need additional sanitising (i.e. if they have come into contact with vomit and or diarrhoea.

Premises staff to:

Step up the cleaning regime ensuring all hard surfaces are washed down twice a day and then disinfected with a chlorine based solution e.g. Milton. This includes table tops, door handles, light switches, telephone handsets and toilet areas.
All lino flooring to be washed down with screen
Steam clean all carpets that have come into carpet with vomit/diarrhoea
Staff to wear aprons and gloves for cleaning.

Catering and premises staff to:

Ensure all dining tables are washed down with a solution of Milton following the directions for the product before and after the children have lunch.

These messages are promoted through posters around the school, in assemblies and through Personal and Social Education lessons.

Staff and children are given the following advice about how to minimise sources of contamination

The school will ensure relevant staff have Food Hygiene Certificate or other training in food handling.
We wash our hands before and after handling food.
We clean and disinfect food storage and preparation areas
Food is bought from reputable sources and used by recommended date

To control the spread of infection

We ensure good handwashing procedures (toilet, handling animals, soil, food)
Children are encouraged to blow and wipe their own noses when necessary and to dispose of the soiled tissues hygienically
We wear protective clothing when dealing with accidents. (e.g. gloves)

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

All staff dealing with a spillage of blood or other body fluid must wear disposable gloves and a disposable apron. Any cuts or abrasions on hands must be covered with a waterproof dressing or plaster before applying disposable gloves. If splashing is anticipated then a visor and/or goggles must also be worn.

Cleaning of the environment

Cleaning throughout the school is frequent and thorough including the cleaning of all toys and equipment in class. Cleaning of the environment, cleaning equipment such as buckets are colour coded and cleaned and replaced as needed. Cleaning standards are monitored regularly and ensure cleaners have access to PPE.

Cleaning of blood and body fluid spillages

All spillages of blood, faeces, saliva, vomit, nasal and eye discharges are cleaned up immediately (with staff wearing PPE). When spillages occur, they are cleaned using a product that combines both a detergent and a disinfectant – usually a chlorine based agent which must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and diluted to the appropriate concentration for its use – in order to be effective against bacteria and viruses and suitable for the surfaces used on.

Vulnerable children

Some medical conditions make children vulnerable to infections that would rarely be serious in most children, these include those being treated for leukaemia or other cancers, on high doses of steroids and with conditions that seriously reduce immunity. The school will have been made aware of such children.

These children are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox, measles or parvovirus B19 and, if exposed to either of these, the school will contact the parent/carer and inform them promptly and further medical advice sought. It may be advisable for these children to have additional immunisations, for example pneumococcal and influenza.

Female staff – pregnancy

If a pregnant woman develops a rash or is in direct contact with someone with a potentially infectious rash, this should be investigated according to PHE guidelines by a doctor. The greatest risk to pregnant women from such infections comes from their own child/children, rather than the workplace. Some specific risks are:

Chickenpox which can affect the pregnancy if the woman has not already had the infection. Exposure to the infection should be reported to the antenatal carer, (midwife or GP) who should arrange a blood test to check for immunity. Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, so anyone who has not had chickenpox is potentially vulnerable to the infection if they have close contact with a case of shingles.
German measles (rubella). If a pregnant woman comes into contact with German measles she should inform her GP and antenatal carer immediately to ensure investigation. The infection may affect the developing baby if the woman is not immune and is exposed in early pregnancy.
Slapped cheek disease (parvovirus B19) can occasionally affect an unborn child. If exposed early in pregnancy (before 20 weeks), inform whoever is giving antenatal care as this must be investigated promptly.
Measles during pregnancy can result in early delivery or even loss of the baby. If a pregnant woman is exposed she should immediately inform whoever is giving antenatal care to ensure investigation

In school we follow the guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency, regarding the recommended period of time that pupils should be absent from school.

Detailed information about many conditions is available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/. Summary information is provided in Appendix 1

It is important to note that the school are unable to authorise absence on medical grounds or illness for conditions where the guidelines state that no period of absence is recommended; e.g. headlice

Appendix 1: Health Protection for schools, nurseries and other childcare facilities

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Published:
25/3/25

Review Date:
Spring 2026

Author:
A Hancock