Allergy Awareness - Our Commitment to Allergy Safety
The health, safety, and wellbeing of our pupils are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be a fully inclusive school, warmly welcoming children with diverse medical needs, including allergies.
Allergic reactions can be triggered by a variety of everyday foods—such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, fish, and gluten—as well as non-food items like latex or insect stings. In line with the latest guidance from the Department for Education, Allergy UK, and Anaphylaxis UK, we do not enforce blanket bans on specific ingredients. Leading experts advise that total bans are difficult to enforce, can cause other major allergens to be overlooked, and often create a false sense of security. Instead, we champion a rigorous, whole-school allergy awareness strategy to keep every child safe.
Our School Safeguards
To protect pupils with severe allergies and minimise the risk of cross-contamination, we maintain the following everyday measures:
- Strict no-food-sharing rule: Pupils are taught never to swap, share, or sample snacks, treats, or packed lunches.
- Handwashing: All children wash their hands before eating to remove trace allergens from hands, shared desks, and play equipment.
- Mandatory staff training: Our team receives regular professional training to quickly spot the signs of mild, moderate, or severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and take immediate action.
- Emergency medication: We safely store prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) and antihistamines for individual pupils, alongside our own backup stock of emergency AAIs.
- Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs): Every child with a diagnosed allergy has a personalised, confidential IHP shared directly with their teaching team.
- Safe catering: Our school kitchen operates under strict allergen controls, and our catering team creates tailored, allergen-safe menus for children with documented dietary needs.
How Parents and Carers Can Help
If your child brings a packed lunch to school, your support is vital in keeping our community safe. Please remember that a food item that is completely safe for your child could be life-threatening to a classmate.
Please do not send:
- Loose nuts, peanut butter, or nut-based chocolate spreads (such as Nutella).
- Foods containing specific allergens that we have asked you to avoid due to high-risk allergies in your child's immediate year group. We will contact you directly if this applies.
What to Do If Your Child Has an Allergy
Allergies can involve items used throughout the school day, not just school dinners. Whether your child has a mild intolerance or a severe, life-threatening allergy, you must inform us before they start school or as soon as they receive a diagnosis.
Please contact the Mrs Groom as soon as possible so we can:
- Work with you to complete an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP).
- Securely store your child’s in-date emergency medication.
- Brief all staff in school.
- Coordinate arrangements with our catering team.
Allergy Awareness and Benedict’s Law
Benedict’s Law was established following the tragic loss of seven-year-old Benedict Blythe, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction at school. The initiative campaigns to elevate allergy awareness, strengthen safety management across educational settings, and ensure children with allergies are protected throughout the school day.
The principles of Benedict’s Law champion a whole-school approach. They encourage clear daily procedures, comprehensive staff training, and transparent communication with families. By embracing these principles, we aim to create a safer, fully inclusive learning environment where pupils with allergies feel confident and supported. We understand that managing allergies can be stressful for families, and we are deeply committed to reducing risks and raising awareness every day.
MGPS Allergy Management Policy
Key Contacts
Allergy Lead - Gail Groom
Allergy Governor (to follow)