Pupil Welfare

Staffing and Provision
The School’s Surgery is housed in the heart of the School and is staffed from 8.30am to 5.00pm by the School Nursing Sister and School Nurses, as well as being supported by the Matrons who are all first aid qualified; outside of hours, support is available directly from the Matrons. Additionally, for boarders, the School Medical Officer (SMO) provides bi-weekly surgeries for pupils. The SMO also advises the School on important matters of policy and provides advice to the School on individual cases where necessary.

• For day pupils, the Surgery provides emergency care when needed as a supplement to the day pupils’ own GP provision.
• For boarders, the Surgery hosts the pupils’ GP surgery, supported as it is by two clinics a week hosted by the School’s GP.

The accommodation comprises two consulting rooms and a room to house pupils in need of rest, as well as bathroom and dispensing facilities. In addition, the boarding houses have separate rooms adjoined to each matron’s accommodation.

Pupil health updates
At the start of every term it is important for the School Nursing Sister to know whether pupils have received any form of medical treatment during the holidays and whether they are taking any new medication when they return to School.

• If a pupil has received any medical treatment or medication, please email the School Nursing Sister with details.
• If a pupil is unwell, please do not return them to School until they are fully recovered. In the case of diarrhoea and / or vomiting, pupils must not return to School until 48 hours after the last bout of illness.

Gillick Competency and Fraser Guidelines
Many of the pupils at Westminster are between the ages of 12 and 16 years: the Fraser Guidelines prevail. Gillick competency and Fraser guidelines refer to a legal case which looked specifically at whether doctors should be able to give contraceptive advice or treatment to under 16-year-olds without parental consent. But since then, they have been more widely used to help assess whether a child has the maturity to make their own decisions and to understand the implications of those decisions.

CONTACTING THE SCHOOL NURSING SISTER
surgery@westminster.org.uk
+44 (0)20 7963 1101

Opportunities for the spiritual and moral development of pupils are the responsibility of all staff, in all areas of the curriculum and outside the curriculum. More broadly, the School takes very seriously its responsibility to promote the spiritual wellbeing of all staff and pupils.

The Revd Gavin Williams is the School Chaplain and also teaches Philosophy, Theology and Ethics. He provides counsel and support to all pupils within the School whether they have a religious faith or not. He is always happy to talk with pupils and staff who wish to explore aspects of life and faith.

Every Wednesday morning, the School Chaplain hosts the Chaplain’s Breakfast, which is an inter-faith forum discussing contemporary issues. Furthermore, Abbey services on Mondays and Fridays, held in Westminster Abbey, are curated by the School Chaplain: these typically comprise short homilies given by members of the School (including current pupils), as well as external speakers. Twice a term, there is a celebration of Holy Communion in Henry VII’s Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey; there is a service of Compline for boarders each week. Roman Catholic pupils are able to receive Mass and to be prepared for confirmation with the generous assistance of Chaplains from Westminster Cathedral.

Amongst other key responsibilities in the School, each year, the School Chaplain helps to prepare pupils for confirmation in the Anglican Communion or, for those already receiving communion, to refresh their faith through attending confirmation preparation classes. He also arranges retreats on a regular basis.

CONTACTING THE SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
gavin.williams@westminster.org.uk
+44 (0)20 7963 1128