Allergy School Stories
Allergy School has worked with a number of nurseries, primary schools and out-of-school clubs and groups.
Each of these educational settings has committed to use Allergy School in their curriculum or workplace, joining us on a journey to becoming more food allergy-friendly. Encourage your school or club leader to become more food allergy aware with Allergy School.
Schools and Nurseries
Vanessa Nursery and Randolph Beresford Nursery
Vanessa Nursery and Randolph Beresford Nursery in London have adopted many food allergy-friendly measures. This includes whole staff allergy awareness training, a new school food policy allowing only their own caterers to provide hot meals and manage cross-contamination, and checking all craft materials for allergens.
Michele Barrett, Executive Headteacher, said:
“Many children arrive at school with known, and some unknown allergies. The school’s approach to inclusion includes keeping children safely in school when they have allergies or medical needs. This creates a huge amount of work, not only for the senior leadership team but for all staff. Having support from Allergy School and a bank of resources and information, helps to create not only policy but best practice. All schools should be allergy safe schools.”
Old Oak Nursery and Primary School
At Old Oak Nursery and Primary School, London, there are strict health and safety checks before going on school trips or residentials. This allows children with food allergies and their parents and carers to feel safe and confident about taking part. Allergy awareness is also a key part of their kitchen preparation. They have 2 spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) accessible on-site and follow a policy to ensure medication is up-to-date.
Co-Head Teacher Joe Brown said:
“Food allergies are a significant issue today in schools. Allergy School resources will help to improve awareness and understanding of food allergies in schools, for pupils and teachers, parents and carers.
They fill a gap that will allow schools to be more confident around food allergies and best of all, they are absolutely free. I’d urge everyone to download them”
St. Michaels RC Primary school
St. Michael’s RC Primary School in Wales is on a journey to becoming more food allergy-friendly by making sure all staff are aware of a child’s allergens and spending quality time discussing individual needs with parents and carers.
Headteacher Joanna Taylor, who has severe allergies herself to fish and nuts, said:
“Working with Allergy School has really helped us raise food allergy awareness to pupils so everyone can support each other and make school the safest place it can be.“
Out-of-school clubs and groups
From sports clubs to scouts and brownies, tens of thousands of children take part in out-of-school clubs and groups every week, making food allergy awareness essential for them too.
LMP Action
LMP Action, a national organisation that develops education programmes and activities including apprenticeships and holiday clubs, has committed to becoming allergy-inclusive across their organisation.
Since working with Allergy School, LMP Action now provides all of its out-of-school settings with allergy awareness training sessions and ensures that they build allergy awareness and risk management into all programmes that they commission. Allergy School and LMP Action have future plans to explore resources for school trips and residential camp settings, which will become part of the Allergy School free resources.
Chelsea FC Foundation
Chelsea FC Foundation uses the power of football to support its local communities and delivers allergy awareness sessions through its Healthy Schools Programme in their local area. All staff delivering the Healthy Schools programme are allergy aware and have participated in a training session with Allergy School and The Allergy Badge, an accredited allergy training provider. They have developed resources with allergy specialists from Imperial College London for Allergy School.
Do you have an Allergy School story to share or have you developed resources that would be useful to others? If so get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Has Allergy School helped you to navigate your child’s food allergies at school? We would love to hear your experience.
