Planning and support for schools dealing with communicable diseases and other winter ailments

for winter 2010

North West London Health Protection Unit (HPU) letter to headteachers (word)

Health Protection Agency (HPA) influenza factsheet (word)

Useful links and documents

The management of communicable diseases in schools, nurseries and other childcare settings (pdf)
Pending publication of the revised schools critical incident manual and Schools Service guidance notes, please use this document.

Swine flu websection
Advice on EGfL on dealing with swine flu at school, reporting 10% absence, useful resources and contact information.

Teachernet website
DCSF guidance to assist planning to support learning if schools close for extended periods during a flu pandemic. This website also offers a range of guidance documents in consultation with other government departments and various external bodies in preparing and planning for a possible pandemic or open documents listed below:

Guidance on infection control in schools and other child care settings (pdf)
Prevent the spread of infections by ensuring: routine immunisation; high standards of personal hygiene and practice, particularly hand washing; and maintaining a clean environment.

Alert levels (pdf)
World Health Organisation alert levels explained.

Pandemic flu - (pdf)
Frequently asked questions.

Pandemic flu news (pdf)
DoH newsletter for emergency planners and flu leads. Issue number 16 November/December 2008.

Planning for a human influenza pandemic - guidance for parents (pdf)
DCSF information for parents on planning for a human flu pandemic.

Planning for a human influenza pandemic - summary guidance for schools (pdf)
DCSF short guidance to assist headteachers and school governors in planning for a human flu pandemic.

Supporting learning if schools close for extended periods in a flu pandemic (pdf)
DCSF guidance for schools and local authorities.

Planning for a human influenza pandemic - full guidance for schools and children's services (pdf)
DCSF guidance to support schools and children's services in planning for a human flu pandemic.

Pandemic flu planning (word)
Model plan/checklist for schools.

NHS coughs and sneezes poster (pdf)

NHS hand wash poster (pdf)