Nettlesworth Primary School is concerned about protecting staff and pupils from sunburn and from skin damage that can be caused by the harmful ultra-violet rays in sunlight. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country. As sunburn and almost all skin cancers are caused by the sun, it is possible to prevent this happening. We believe that by encouraging sun safe behaviour at school and teaching children about the risks of sunlight, we can prevent them burning and contribute towards preventing skin cancer. We would like your help and support in this matter. We will be encouraging children to avoid sunburn and overexposure to the sun by:
- seeking the shade, particularly during the middle of the day
- wearing suitable hats or caps
- wearing clothing that protects the skin, particularly for outdoor activities and school trips
- using a high factor sunscreen (SPF 15+).
Staff will be encouraged to set an example. Some children are at greater risk of sunburn than others. Fair skinned, freckled children who burn easily are most at risk from overexposure to the sun and need to take great care when out in the sun. Teachers and support staff on playground duty or in charge of school outings will remind those most at risk of burning to cover up in the sun and use sunscreen. Staff will also encourage children to drink plenty of water. You can help by encouraging your child to bring, and wear, a hat at school, particularly on sunnier days and during sports day and any school trips. The school will remind parents of the sun safety policy from time to time (on our school website), particularly around the start of the summer term, sports days, and outings. Sunscreens provide added protection and may be useful when other measures are not available. Dermatologists recommend that a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above will provide children in this country with adequate protection. We encourage parents to provide sunscreen for this purpose and encourage children to protect themselves from the sun. One way of doing this is to use sunscreen at the appropriate time. If a child is to use sunscreen at school, parents are asked to:
- Provide the sunscreen product for school use.
The sunscreen must be:
o Clearly marked with the child’s name.
o Replenished by the parent as needed.
The child must be able to apply his or her own sunscreen (except Reception children) and not to share it, as some children may have an allergy.
- For Reception parents:
o You are asked to apply sunscreen at home before a typical school day, this will be reapplied as necessary by staff. If it is considered necessary for teachers/staff to assist with the application of sunscreen, the sunscreen will only be applied to face, neck, arms, hands and lower legs.
Please note that we do not permit the use of aerosol sprays.
Many Thanks
Donna Lee
