Is My Child Too Ill for School? Guidance for Parents & Carers

It can be difficult to decide whether your child is well enough to attend school when they are feeling under the weather. To help parents and carers make confident decisions, we are sharing official guidance from the UK Government and NHS on common childhood illnesses and school attendance.

Key Rule: High Temperature

If your child has a high temperature (38°C or more), please keep them off school until the fever goes away. If they do not have a high temperature, please refer to the summary below:

Summary Advice by Condition

🟢 Should Go In

• Cough, Cold, or Sore Throat: Fine to attend with mild symptoms (runny nose, slight cough, headache) as long as they are otherwise well and do not have a high temperature.
• Threadworms: Can attend; speak to a pharmacist for treatment.

🟡 Should Go In (Please Let Us Know)

• Cold Sores: Fine to attend. Encourage them not to touch blisters, kiss anyone, or share cups/towels.
• Conjunctivitis: Fine unless feeling very unwell. Encourage frequent handwashing and avoiding eye-rubbing.
• Head Lice & Nits: Fine to attend. Treatable without seeing a GP.
• Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease: Fine to attend if feeling well enough. Remind them to dispose of tissues immediately and wash hands regularly.
• Slapped Cheek Syndrome: Fine to attend once the rash appears, as they are no longer infectious. Please notify the school/teacher.

🟠 Seek Treatment Before Returning

• Impetigo: Needs pharmacist/GP treatment (often antibiotics). Keep off school until all sores have crusted over/healed, or for 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
• Ringworm: See a pharmacist (or GP if on scalp). Can return once treatment has started.
• Scarlet Fever: Requires antibiotics from a GP. Can return 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
• Chickenpox: Keep off school until all spots have crusted over (usually around 5 days after spots first appear).

🔴 Keep Off School (At First)

• Ear Infection: If accompanied by a high temperature or severe earache, keep off school until feeling better or the temperature drops.
• Measles: See a GP (call ahead before visiting). Keep off school for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears.
• Vomiting & Diarrhoea: Children must stay away from school until they have been clear of sickness or diarrhoea for at least 48 hours (2 days).

Feeling Worried or Anxious?

It is normal for children to feel worried sometimes, which can occasionally show up as physical symptoms like tummy aches or headaches. Avoiding school can often make anxieties worse.

If your child is struggling with anxiety or school attendance, please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can explore support options together. If your child is still struggling and it is affecting their everyday life, you should contact your GP.