Health screening

Vision screening checks for reduced vision in one or both eyes. The aim is to detect any problems early so that treatment can be given if needed.

Although your child should have regular eye tests at they grow up, it is still important to look out for signs of any problems and get advice if you have concerns. The key issues for you to consider and to support you in deciding whether you are concerned about your child’s vision are:

• the eyes not pointing in the same direction
• complaining of headaches or eye strain
• problems reading – for example, they may need to hold books close to their face and they may lose their place regularly
• problems with hand-eye co-ordination – for example, they may struggle to play ball games
• being unusually clumsy
• regularly rubbing their eyes
• sitting too close to the TV.

Visit your optician if you have any concerns about your child's eyes or vision.

If your child is receiving treatment for a vision problem, or already wears glasses, they will not need to have their vision screened. The results of the screening will be sent home within four weeks of the screening being completed. If there are concerns with your child’s vision we will refer them to the orthoptist for a follow up appointment. We will write to you to let you know when we are coming and provide more information.

Find out more information on eye tests.

Kent School Health Screening Lead Michele Ellis highlighted the life-changing power of early vision screening, using England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton as a shining example. Hannah was born with strabismus (a squint), a condition that affects depth perception. Doctors once told her she’d never make it in elite sport. But thanks to early diagnosis and treatment, she defied the odds, saving two penalties in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final and helping England lift the trophy.

Children rarely complain of having poor hearing because they don’t know any different, and problems can easily go unnoticed. Early treatment leads to better results for your child as their learning and development can be supported in various ways. Routine hearing screening is offered to children to identify any problems as early as possible because they can affect your child’s speech and language development, social skills and make it harder for them at school.

We offer a hearing screen at your child's school in reception. All children can have a screen if you think it is beneficial or you have concerns about your child’s hearing that are not currently being supported.

The key issues for you to consider and to support you in deciding whether you are concerned about your child’s hearing are:

• if they aren't clear when they speak
• don't reply when you call them
• talk very loudly
• ask you to repeat yourself or respond inappropriately to questions
• turn up the volume of the TV very high
• they did not receive a newborn hearing screen.

The number of children who experience hearing problems are small, however, there is evidence that the following groups may be at higher risk. Therefore, we highly recommend if you identify with one of the following groups that you access a screening test for your child, even if you have no concerns:

• children not born in the UK (not received hearing screening as newborn)
• those of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Irish Traveller and Gypsy Roma Traveller ethnicity
• those who have not received immunisations for Mumps and/or Men C booster under the pre-school two-dose vaccination programme.
• those who had a neonatal illness (first four weeks of a child’s life)

What happens in a hearing screening?

The hearing screen is sometimes described as a ‘sweep test’. Headphones are put on your child’s head and sounds are generated at different frequencies and volumes. Your child will be asked to respond to the sounds by either pressing a button, or putting their hand up. By changing the volume, we can work out the quietest sounds your child can hear.

You will be notified of the outcome of your child’s hearing screen via letter. If your child requires another screening, then this will be completed 12 to 14 weeks after the first screen. If your child fails two hearing screens, your child will be referred to the Specialist Audiology Services for further investigation.

Find out more information on hearing tests.

You can find more information on our hearing screen leaflet.

This check helps you to see if your child is growing as expected.

School children in reception and year six have their height and weight checked at school as part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). We collect this information because it builds a picture of how children are growing to help plan better health and leisure services for families. You will receive a letter with more information from us including if you wish to decline for your child.

Results are not shared with other children or the teachers but are sent directly to you, which may be followed up with an offer of further support and advice about your child’s weight. We understand you may feel a range of emotions when you receive the results and may wonder what you can do to support your child. Find out more ways to keep the whole family healthy and how to talk to your child about weight. NHS Better Health also has a top tips to keep your family healthy and happy leaflet you can download from our website.

We offer health and development surveys for children in Reception and in year six and in years 10 and 12 in secondary school.

These assessments help identify any factors impacting on a child’s ability to live a healthy life and achieve their full potential. A child may have a long-term medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma or anaphylaxis, be a young carer, or perhaps need counselling to cope with a bereavement or a relationship problem. This can also help to support transition into secondary school.

This means that action plans and support can be put in place early and make sure children and young people have the best possible support. Surveys will be sent to parents of reception-aged children to complete. Young people in year six, 10 and 12 will be asked to complete the survey by themselves in class. This is their decision and they won’t be made to complete this if they prefer not to. Support is offered to help your teen answer the questions confidentially.

TLM year 6 parent letter

The Kent School Health Team aim to give children and young people the opportunity to tell us how they feel about their health, what they want to know more about, and if they have any worries about growing up.

We offer all schools the opportunity to deliver an online health questionnaire, The Lancaster Model (TLM), to children and young people in Year 6. By completing the questionnaire, your child will have the opportunity to be assessed for any health needs and register any worries or concerns so that we can talk to them early. This information also helps schools to ensure that their health education meets the needs of the young people in their school community.  You can find more information about the online questionnaire here: Parents and Guardians – The Lancaster Model

Parents and Guardians have previously said:

“Since completing the TLM questionnaire, we have received the right support and I have seen a difference in my daughter.  She is now feeling more positive and less anxious about going to school”.

We will explain to each class why we are asking them to complete the questionnaire, and what will happen to this information, so that they can make a choice for themselves whether they would like to take part. No child or young person will be made to complete the questionnaire if they don’t want to. Following completion of the questionnaire your child may choose or be invited to speak to a member of the School Health Team in confidence. This may result in a member of the team contacting you to offer guidance and support.

All personal information collected from this questionnaire will be treated as confidential and held securely to meet with data protection, GDPR and Information Governance requirements.

Details about the information we collect from you, what we do with it and how it may be shared can be found in the leaflet: What happens to personal information held about you? Which you can find online: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/personalinfo

If you have any concerns or worries you wish to discuss, or would like further information, please contact the School Health team, available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, via the details at the top of this letter.

Yours faithfully,
Kent School Health