Asthma at School
What to do when a child with asthma joins your class
If your school has an asthma guideline, ensure you are familiar with it, otherwise take the following steps:
- Enquire from parents about their child's asthma control and current treatment. This information can be recorded on a school asthma record sheet.
- Allow the child free access to their reliever medication: older children should be allowed to carry their relievers in their pocket and in the case of younger children the reliever should be kept in the classroom in an easily accessible location. Relievers should never be locked away.
- Before exercise, remind the child to carry his/her medication. They may be shy about this, encourage positive attitudes towards pupils with medical conditions.
- On school trips encourage the child to carry his/her medication at all times. Include this information on school circulars to parents.
- Inform the child's parents if the child has an asthma exacerbation or uses their reliever medication.
- If concerned about a child with "severe symptoms" e.g. missing school or tired in class secondary to disturbed sleep from coughing, speak with parents. Some children with severe asthma may require extra support due to days lost.
Download the following examples
Example of a school asthma management guideline
Example of school letter to parents regarding asthma
Example of primary school asthma record sheet
