School Nurse

An opportunity at a prestigious boys boarding and day prep school in the Surrey countryside, 25 miles south of London. Woodcote is family owned and run, with approximately 105 boys, the vast majority of whom go on to the leading senior independent schools at 13.

A vacancy has arisen for a nurse to join our medical team. The successful applicant will provide the highest possible quality of medical and welfare care for all pupils at the School. Our medical team have two main functions: supporting pupils’ health and wellbeing so that all pupils can fully participate in school life and; providing first aid to members of the school community. In both areas, the medical team strive to develop and maintain positive and mutually supportive relationships with parents / guardians and with staff across the school. Reporting to the Headmaster, Head of Pastoral Care and the Bursar, the successful applicant would liaise closely with the boarding teams and other staff on all areas of welfare.

To provide a high standard of services to pupils, staff and visitors while on site. This will include: 

• The Management and oversight of the medical and welfare care for all pupils at the School,  proactively distributing relevant information to staff. Assessing day-to-day injuries and illness/sporting injuries and treating these in accordance with best practice/current health care guidelines, advising parents/guardians on appropriate treatment and referring to other services e.g. minor injuries/GP/A&E/999 when required.

• Administering medication as appropriate and according to School policy. 

• providing support to relevant teaching staff in their dealings with pupils in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities.

 • Working closely with the Head of Boarding, discussing and resolving any issues concerning pupils’ medical care and welfare.

 • Regularly meeting and communicating with the Head of Pastoral Care and Designated Safeguarding Lead and other senior pastoral staff, sharing information when appropriate and safe to do so.

• Providing general advice and training for staff for the initial care of pupils with particular medical needs.

• To ensure excellent organisation, safe storage and use of drug supplies within school, working within the school’s medicines management policy.

 • Coordinating immunisation programmes by: liaising with local health authorities; arranging and managing communications with regard to consent; maintaining secure records where appropriate.

• Verify, update and distribute as necessary medical information about pupils, collating information and consents from parents about new children joining the school and update records with new information when appropriate.onto the School’s MIS. 

• To respond to emails rapidly and professionally, reassuring parents of the quality care that the pupils receive.

 • Ensure that medical and healthcare policies and procedures are reviewed annually and be pro-active in developing new ones, keeping up-to-date with national changes. 

• Be involved in periodic checking of first aid kits throughout school, other emergency equipment, replenishing kits, stock takes when required.

 • Supply first aid kits to staff for all visits out of school, including relevant medication

• To promote healthy living throughout the school in liaison with Deputy Head Pastoral, leading health talks with year groups, taking assemblies and visiting PHSEE lessons when requested

• Ensure that the matron and house-parents have the appropriate training, routines and standards to offer the highest standard of care, and are equipped to deputise effectively when the School Nurse is off duty.

 • Take an active role in the training of school staff in cases of health care and medical issues, speaking in staff meetings or at INSET, and providing training (including first aid training) on a one-to one or group basis when necessary.

 • Regularly review current practice and what is best practice and come up with solutions to improve the quality of care, also working with the Head of Boarding to ensure the school meets and exceeds the Boarding Schools National Minimum Standards.

• Providing cover for sports fixtures, games sessions and other events as required.