Head Lice Information for Parents and Carers

Head lice are a common occurrence in primary school children and are nothing to be embarrassed about. They do not reflect poor hygiene and can affect anyone, regardless of how clean their hair is. At our school, we aim to support families in managing head lice quickly and effectively to minimise disruption to learning.

What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live in the hair and feed on the scalp. They spread through close head-to-head contact, which is why they are common among children of primary school age.

How can I check for head lice?

The best way to check for head lice is by wet combing:

• Wash hair and apply plenty of conditioner (by all accounts, coconut-scented conditioner is good)
• Use a fine-toothed detection comb
• Comb through sections of hair from root to tip, not forgetting the back of the head.
• Check the comb for lice after each stroke

Regular checking (at least once a week) helps to catch infestations early.

What should I do if I find head lice?

If you find head lice:

• Treat your child’s hair as soon as possible using a recommended treatment from a pharmacy or by continuing with regular wet combing
• Follow the instructions carefully
• Check all members of the household and treat if necessary

Please note, children do not need to be kept off school once treatment has started.

Preventing the spread

While it is difficult to prevent head lice completely, you can help by:

• Encouraging children not to share hats, brushes or hair accessories
• Keeping long hair tied back during the school day
• Checking hair regularly at home

Working together

We ask all parents and carers to support us by checking their child’s hair routinely and treating any infestations promptly. By working together, we can help reduce the spread and ensure all children feel comfortable and confident at school.

If you need advice or support, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.  We could even engage with the School Nurse if required.