Medical and Medication Policy

Medical and Dietary Information Form

We will request all Students (or, where the student is aged under 18, their parent or legal guardian) to complete our Medical and Dietary Information Form prior to the Student’s arrival in the UK. It is essential to the safety and well-being of each Student that their form is completed accurately and fully. The form will be available to all summer students from the March before their summer attendance.

Basic Medication

Please note that, if you or your child is unwell, the Programme Director, Nurse and Campus Administrator are authorised to administer the medication listed below (and only that listed below):

  • Paracetamol (for pain relief and fever reduction)
  • Piriton (to relieve symptoms of mild allergies, such as hayfever)
  • Strepsils (for sore throat relief)
  • Simple Linctus (for mild coughs)
  • Rennie (for heartburn and indigestion)
  • Olbas Oil (decongestant for colds / congestion)

Beyond-basic medication (prescription, storage and dispensing)

OCM staff members will not prescribe or recommend or store or dispense beyond-basic medication for or belonging to the Student as they are not authorised or qualified to do so. For this reason the Student is responsible for keeping their beyond-basic medication with them at all times and taking the correct dosage at the correct times. Students unable to store/administer their beyond-basic medication personally are strongly recommended to notify OCM. in writing not less than 60 days before the start date of the course to ascertain whether an independent medical professional is likely to be available in or near the Campus to carry out this role. Should OCM. in the exercise of its absolute discretion make available an independent medical professional to fulfill this role, the Student shall nevertheless remain responsible for taking their beyond-basic medication in the correct dosage and OCM. shall neither be liable for any failure of the Student to do so nor for any medical advice given or treatment administered by the independent medical professional. Epipens, asthma inhalers or any similar medication that a student needs to carry on their person in case of a medical emergency will be treated as an exception to the above rule, and will need to be carried by the student. If, however, the parents or guardians would prefer a staff member to carry the medication, they should contact OCM before the course to discuss a personal arrangement.

Student Disability Policy

Aim and Objectives

The aim of this policy is to embed a culture of inclusion for students with disabilities.

OCM works with the Equality Act’s (2010) definition of a disabled person: “A person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”

The objectives of this policy are:

  • To commit to having an inclusive environment, which facilitates disclosure of disability and gives all students the opportunity to demonstrate and realise their full potential;
  • To provide fair and equal treatment to all students;

To comply with the legislative requirements under the Equality Act (2010), in particular the need to avoid discrimination and to provide reasonable adjustments for disabled students.

Policy Statement

OCM will ensure:

  • That the requirements of those students who disclose a disability are assessed on an individual basis;
  • That all discussions and information regarding a disability or specific learning difficulty are treated in a confidential manner and in accordance with OCM’s Student Privacy Policy;
  • In the case of non-standard adjustments for disabled students, the Programme Directors will be involved in any discussions regarding adjustments to ensure that academic rigour is maintained and that the necessary resources are available;

All staff and students at OCM are expected to be responsible for implementing this policy.

Monitoring and Review

A member of the Admissions Department will collate feedback received from disabled students, in order to monitor the effectiveness of the policy and will report findings to the Directors.

The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by Management, where any amendments or improvements will be discussed.

Student Special Educational Needs Policy

OCM uses the following definition of Special Educational Needs, as outlined in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEN Code of Practice (2015):

A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.

A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:

  • has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
  • has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions

For example:

  • Behavioural/social (e.g. difficulty making friends)
  • Reading and writing (e.g. dyslexia)
  • Understanding things
  • Concentrating (e.g. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
  • Physical needs or impairments

At OCM, we welcome students with special educational needs. We recognise that we will need to consider the individual needs of students when planning our curriculum and we aim to provide a curriculum, which is accessible to the individual needs of all of our students. When a student registers for one of our courses, they will be asked to provide any relevant information about their medical and learning needs. In cases where significant additional needs are flagged, we will create an Individual Student Support Agreement, to detail how we will support the student’s needs during their time with us. This document is compiled with the input of the student and their parent/guardian if they are under 18. The document will be circulated to relevant members of staff (as agreed with the student) , to ensure that everyone who has a part to play in supporting the student is aware of their additional responsibilities. The document is reviewed and updated throughout the student’s stay to ensure it best meets their needs. Overall responsibility for ensuring the plan set out in the agreement is implemented lies with the SENCO and the Programme Director.

At Oxford Royale Academy, our Special Educational Needs Inclusion Coordinators (SENCOs) are an appropriate member of staff. They are responsible for the day-to-day provision for SEN. The SENCOs maintain and oversee all records for students with SEN, and will liaise with other staff about the needs.

We will ensure:

  • That the requirements of those students who disclose a disability are assessed on an individual basis;
  • That all discussions and information regarding a specific learning difficulty are treated in a confidential manner and in accordance with ORA’s Student Privacy Policy;
  • In the case of non-standard adjustments for students with SEN, the Programme Directors will be involved in any discussions regarding adjustments to ensure that academic rigour is maintained and that the necessary resources are available.

Safeguarding Policy

OCM is dedicated to students’ welfare and safety.

OCM (herein referred to as ‘ORA’) takes seriously its responsibility under section 11 of the Children Act and duties under “working together” to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements exist within our setting to identify, and support those children who are suffering harm or are likely to suffer harm.

OCM recognises that all staff have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern.

OCM aims to provide a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child free from discrimination or bullying where children can learn and develop happily.

This policy applies to all staff and volunteers working in our establishment.

The aims of this policy are:

  • To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and resilience;
  • To provide an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected, feel confident and know how to approach adults if they are in difficulties;
  • To raise the awareness with all staff of the need to safeguard children and of their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse;
  • To provide a systematic means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm, and ensure we contribute to assessments of need and support plans for those children where appropriate;
  • To acknowledge the need for effective and appropriate communication between all members of staff in relation to safeguarding children and young people;
  • To develop a structured procedure within the summer school which will be followed by all members of the staff in cases of suspected abuse;
  • To develop effective working relationships with the OSCB and other language and tutorial colleges in Oxford involved in safeguarding children;
  • To ensure that all adults within our establishment who have access to children have been checked as to their suitability. This includes other community users of our facilities, following correct staff recruitment and selection procedures.

Prevention Policy

Oxford Royale Academy understands its responsibilities under the Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015 to prevent people of all ages being radicalised or drawn into terrorism and seeks to meet its obligations. Oxford Royale Academy has always promoted a multi-cultural environment where respect for and tolerance of others beliefs is required.

OCM will:

  • Make and maintain contact with the local authority Prevent coordinators to understand their role and the support available;
  • Make contact with the local authority to ascertain other useful local agencies;
  • Develop local area Prevent links with other similar organisations;
  • Share information with all local organisations as appropriate.

OCM will endeavour to implement the following:

  • Promote a safe and supportive international environment via clear expectations of accepted behaviours and those, including radicalisation and extremism, that will not be tolerated;
  • Promote core British values through student inductions and notices around accommodation sites;
  • Develop critical awareness and thought to counter accepting extremism without question, primarily through restricting internet access;
  • Challenge radical or extremist views in any context (formal or informal) via stated procedures;
  • Be ready to react when world or local events (e.g. Paris attacks) cause upset and the likelihood of conflicting feelings being expressed. The Prevent lead will take initiative in these situations;
  • Have strong filters on IT equipment and clear rules on accessing extremist/ terrorist websites/ uses of social networks to exchange extremist/ terrorist views;
  • Ensure that extremist speakers do not use premises to distribute material or expound views; have system for vetting any visiting speakers/ presenters;
  • Staff will get to know students, their home circumstances and friendship groups, making it easier to spot changes in behaviour, and will be observant and vigilant in noticing any signs of radical or extremist behaviour, making it easier to identify vulnerable students.