School Nursing

As part of Routine Health Surveillance for all school-age children, the Department of Health recommends that all children reaching school age have a general health review to ensure that any unmet health needs are addressed and supported.

The School Nursing Team attends new parents/carers meetings in schools to introduce the service, and let you know about the support and advice we can offer.

A health questionnaire will be given when a child starts school which School Nursing ask for parents/carers to complete and return (in a sealed envelope) to school. This questionnaire asks about a child’s general health and well-being. The completed questionnaires will be reviewed by a member of the school nursing team who may get in touch with you to discuss further.

We have a ‘preparing for school’ video that you may find useful. Please click the following link to access: https://youtu.be/WCffln9-rF8

As part of Routine Health Surveillance for all school-age children, the Department of Health recommends that all children transitioning from primary to secondary school have a general health review to ensure that any unmet health needs are addressed and supported.

Every child in Year 6 will be provided with the opportunity to complete an online Health Surveillance Questionnaire in School, which asks about their general health and emotional wellbeing.

Following the questionnaire being completed, a member of the School Nursing Team will assess the responses provided and may wish to see the child in school to gain further information on the answers that the child has given, or if a child has requested to see a member of the School Nursing Team.' This meeting would be on a private 1-1 basis in School.

The School Nursing Team may also need to contact a child’s parents/carers to gain some further information. The information children share on the questionnaire is confidential. School nursing will not share children’s answers with schools.

The Solihull School Nursing Team is a confidential NHS service that works in partnership with other agencies, and information may need to be shared in the best interests of a child.

As part of Routine Health Surveillance for all school-age children, The Department of Health recommends that all young people in secondary school have a general health review to ensure that any unmet health needs are addressed and supported. 

The purpose of this is to assess the health needs of young people. This provides the opportunity to raise any concerns young people might have regarding their health and wellbeing and to encourage them to take responsibility for their own health. The questionnaire provides interactive advice with clear directions on where young people can access safe and appropriate support if required. 

Following the questionnaire being completed, a member of the School Nursing Team will assess the responses provided and may wish to see the young person in school, to gain further information on the answers that the young person has given, or if a young person has requested to see a member of the School Nursing Team. This meeting would be on a private 1-1 basis in School.

The information young people share on the questionnaire is confidential. School nursing will not share young people’s answers with school. The Solihull School Nursing Team is a confidential NHS service who work in partnership with other agencies and information may need to be shared in the best interests of a young person.

Every year in England, school children in Reception and Year 6 have their height and weight checked at school as part of the National Child Measurement Programme. 

This is a national programme which is used to measure how many children are a healthy weight and to provide extra support to any families that would like this. 

The NHS School Nursing Team measure a child’s height and weight. Children are measured fully clothed, except for their coats and shoes, in a private space away from other pupils. The team will follow the latest NHS hand hygiene, cleaning and safeguarding guidelines. 

If a child’s measurements show that they could be underweight, overweight or very overweight, a child’s results will be sent to the parent/carer’s email or contact will be made by telephone. Parents/carers will be sent tips and advice around healthy eating and exercise including local activities that can be accessed. Parents/carers will not be contacted a child is growing as expected for their age, sex and height. 

All this information is treated confidentially and held securely. No individual measurements will be given to school staff or other children. 

If you’d like further information on healthy lifestyles, pleas follow the links below:

Read more about how to eat a balanced diet.

Get ideas for healthier lunchbox recipes and healthier food swaps on the Better Health website.

Further help and advice can be found following the links below:

Advice for parents of healthy-weight children - NHS

Healthier Families - Home - NHS

The School Nursing Team will obtain consent from parents and carers before supporting children and young people. In secondary schools’ young people can access the School Nurse independently for advice and support without parental consent, although we would always encourage young people to speak with their parent/carer.

Solihull School Nursing Team is a confidential NHS service who work in partnership with other agencies and information may need to be shared in the best interests of your child.