St. Martin’s Church of England (Aided) Primary School

Sun Protection Policy

Chairman of Health & Safety Committee…………………………………………………..Date…….…….

Reviewed as necessary

St. Martin’s Church of England (Aided) Primary School

Sun Protection Policy

Introduction

This policy was considered and approved by the Governing Body’s Personnel Committee using delegated powers on 7^th March 2006.  The policy will be reviewed as required to ensure the most up to date information is included.

At St. Martin’s School we want Staff and Pupils to enjoy the sun safely. 

Why is sun protection important for children and young people?

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of cases is rising at an alarming rate. The good news is that the majority of these cases could be prevented. Most skin cancers are caused by UV radiation from the sun. If we protect ourselves from the sun then we can reduce our risk. This is particularly important for children and young people whose skin is more delicate and easily damaged.

Sunburn in childhood can double the risk of skin cancer. The damage is not seen immediately because skin cancer can take years to develop. But children who are exposed to the sun now are storing up problems for the future.  To assist our School develop good practice, we have adopted the Sun Smart campaign advice.

What is the SunSmart campaign?

SunSmart is the national skin cancer prevention campaign run by Cancer Research UK. The SunSmart

Schools’ initiative encourages schools to develop and adopt sun protection policies. They are part of a broader campaign communicating effective skin cancer prevention messages to the general public.

The five key SunSmart skin cancer prevention messages are:

Stay in the shade 11-3

Make sure you never burn

Always cover up - wear a t-shirt, hat and wraparound sunglasses

R emember children burn more easily

Then use factor 15+ sunscreen.

Why have a SunSmart sun protection policy?

We get around 80% of our sun exposure by the age of 21 and much of this exposure occurs when at school. At St. Martin’s we have a responsibility to ensure that pupils are protected from the harmful effects of the sun as much as possible during the school day. Although fair skinned people are more at risk from sun damage, sun protection is relevant to both fair and dark skinned children.

Developing a SunSmart sun protection policy is an important step towards encouraging good health in line with national healthy schools programmes. Schools are also legally required to have a health and safety policy in place.

What is a SunSmart sun protection policy?

1.  PROTECTION: providing an environment that enables pupils and staff to stay safe in the sun.

a)      Our School’s site has little shade and the children are in the sun for the longest time at the hottest time of day.  Supervisors are encouraged to be diligent in looking for signs that children are over heating or are over exposed.  Shade from temporary structures is provided whenever possible and School Council is currently in discussion with Miss Brown to organise parasol/ canopy shade in zoned areas of the playground, as part of Phase 3 of the Breaking the Boundaries Development programme.

b)      School has included baseball caps in School uniform and pupils are reminded to wear them when outside.  Also St. Martin T shirts can be worn when outside on the hottest days.  Staff are encouraged to wear hats when on playground duty and during sports lessons.

c)      High factor (15+) sun protection products are allowed in School, provided from Home. Packaging needs to be labelled clearly with the child’s name.  Adults may volunteer to apply the cream to Infants with permission from Parents – Juniors apply their own protection product.  Staff supervising school visits will be provided with extra sunscreen in case children forget their own.

d)      Pupils are allowed to wear UV sunglasses.

e)  Frequent water consumption is encouraged throughout the School day. 

2.  EDUCATION: learning about sun safety to increase knowledge and influence behaviour.

a)  All pupils are taught about the beneficial and adverse effects of the sun through Science lessons

     as part of the National Curriculum and as part of PSCHE lessons.

b)  Communication with Parents/Carers about protection against the sun occurs through the weekly

     School newsletter.

c)  Posters warning against overexposure are displayed in the School.

d)  All Staff have been issued with the health and Safety Executive ‘Skin at Work’ information.

3.  COLLABORATION: working with Parents, Governors and the wider community to reinforce  

     awareness about sun safety in keeping with our Healthy School status.

a)  This policy has been shared as relevant with School stakeholders.

b)  The School Nurse and Healthy Schools Scheme Coordinator give the School advice.

c)  Home and School cooperate to ensure pupils are safe and protected.

Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart Guidelines for Primary Schools© 2004

Sunsmart website at www.sunsmart.org.uk