Supporting schools to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people
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Health Protection in Schools

Keeping your school community healthy

Schools are busy environments where children and young people learn, play and socialise closely together. This means infections can spread quickly if simple preventative measures aren’t in place.

Health protection is about creating a safe, supportive environment where illness is reduced, attendance is improved, and pupils can thrive.

 

Why children are more at risk

Children and young people can be more vulnerable to infections because:

  • Their immune systems are still developing
  • They mix closely with peers throughout the day
  • Vaccinations may be incomplete
  • Hygiene habits are still being learned

This makes schools a key setting for preventing and managing infectious diseases.

 

A whole-school approach

Protecting health in schools is most effective when it’s part of everyday practice. Key actions include:

  • Promoting immunisation uptake
  • Encouraging regular and effective handwashing
  • Supporting good respiratory hygiene (catch it, bin it, kill it)
  • Promptly identifying and managing illness
  • Ensuring clear communication with parents and carers

Taking a consistent, whole-school approach helps reduce outbreaks and minimise disruption to learning.

 

Supporting your school

There is a range of national and local guidance to help schools confidently manage health protection:

 

Explore key topics

We’ve brought together practical information and resources to support your school in key areas:

Useful resources for schools

 

Key message

Health protection doesn’t need to be complicated. Small, consistent actions make a big difference.

By embedding good hygiene, promoting vaccination, and responding quickly to illness, schools can:

✅ Reduce the spread of infection
✅ Improve attendance and learning
✅ Support pupil wellbeing
✅ Protect the wider community