Stoke Park School and Community Technology College

ASTHMA POLICY
Introduction
One of the medical conditions which most commonly causes concern in schools in
asthma.

What is Asthma?
People with asthma have airways which narrow as a reaction to various triggers. The
triggers vary between individuals but common ones include viral infections, cold air,
grass, pollen, animal fur and house dust mites. Exercise and stress can also precipitate
asthma attacks in susceptible people. The narrowing or obstruction of the airways
causes difficulty in breathing and can be alleviated with treatment.

Asthma attacks are characterised by coughing, wheeziness and difficulty breathing,

especially breathing out. The affected person may be distressed and anxious and, in
severe attacks, the pupils skin and lips become blue.

About one in twenty children have asthma which requires regular medical supervision.

Medication and control

There are several medications used to treat asthma. Some are for long term prevention
and are normally used out of school hours and others relieve symptoms when they
occur.

Most pupils will relieve their symptoms with medication using an inhaler. It is good
practice to allow children with asthma to take charge of and use their inhaler from an
early age and many do.

A small number of children, particularly younger ones, may use a spacer device with
their inhaler with which they may need help. In a few severe cases children use an
electrically powered nebulizer to deliver their asthma medication.

Each pupils needs and the amount of assistance they require will differ.

School policy
As a school we take the responsibility for our asthmatic children seriously and aim to
encourage the children to participate fully in all aspects of school life.
We recognise that asthma is an important condition affecting many school children
and we actively welcome those children into our school.
We will ensure that other children understand asthma so that they can support their
friends and peers, so avoiding the stigma of being different from others.
We have included in the policy a set of guidelines as to what will happen in an
emergency.

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 Children with asthma must have immediate access to their reliever inhalers
when they need them.
Pupils who are able to use their inhalers themselves should usually be allowed to
carry them with them.
Inhalers should be available during physical education and sports activities or school
trips.
It is helpful if parents provide schools with a spare inhaler for their childs use in case
the inhaler is left at home or runs out. Spare reliever inhalers must be clearly
labelled with the pupils name and stored safely.

Record Keeping
On admission it is the responsibility of parents/carers to inform the school of all
medical conditions, including asthma.
It is the responsibility of parents/carers to update information as necessary

Curriculum involvement of Asthmatic Pupils

Pupils with asthma are encouraged to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of
school life although special consideration may be needed before undertaking some
activities.
They must be allowed to take their reliever inhaler with them on all off-site activities.
They may need to take precautionary measures and use their inhaler before any
physical exertion.
Pupils with asthma should be encouraged to undertake warm up exercises before
sudden activity especially when the weather is cold.
They should not be forced to take part if they feel unwell.
It is also our policy to make available an opportunity for children who have exercise
induced asthma to take their inhaler before the start of the lesson. Teachers will be
aware that children may be reluctant to do this in public and allow some privacy.

School Trips
The school may need to take additional safety measures for outside visits. (See
Emergency procedures)

It is our policy that should children be away from the school building i.e. school trips
etc., that reliever inhaler be taken with them.

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 Emergency Procedure for an Asthma Attack

1. ENSURE RELIEVER MEDICATION IS TAKEN (usually blue, quickly opens up air

passages)

2. STAY CALM AND REASSURE THE CHILD

Listen carefully to what the child is saying
Do not crowd
Do not lie down
Do not change environment i.e. do not bring in from playground to a warm
classroom, or vice versa
Call qualified First Aider, if available

3. HELP THE CHILD TO BREATHE

Encourage the child to breathe slowly and deeply
Loosen tight clothing around the neck

4. AFTER 5 10 MINUTES IF NO IMPROVEMENT REPEAT MEDICATION AT A

HIGHER DOSE (UP TO 20 PUFFS) AND CALL IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP.

NOTIFY PARENTS/CARERS IF NOT ALREADY DONE PREVIOUSLY.

IMPORTANT: IF THE CHILD IS UNABLE TO SPEAK OR DISTRESSED DIAL 999 AND

REQUEST A PARAMEDIC AT THE SAME TIME AS FOLLOWING THE ABOVE
PROCEDURE.

IF IN DOUBT ALWAYS CALL FOR URGENT MEDICAL HELP.

Although pupils should not take medication which has been prescribed for another pupil,
if the pupils own inhaler, or the spare is not available, another pupils inhaler can be
used IN AN EMERGENCY ONLY, if it is of the same type, and if the pupil can
administer it themselves. If a pupil took a puff of another pupils inhaler, there are
unlikely to be serious adverse effects.

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