Allergy Safety (Benedict's Law)

At St Bartholomew's, the safety and wellbeing of all our pupils is our highest priority. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for children with allergies and meeting the requirements of Benedict's Law and the Department for Education's allergy safety guidance for schools.

We recognise that allergies can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening. We work closely with parents, carers, healthcare professionals and pupils to ensure every child can participate fully and safely in school life.

What is Benedict's Law?

Benedict's Law was introduced following the tragic death of Benedict Blythe, a five-year-old pupil who suffered a severe allergic reaction at school in 2021. The law strengthens allergy safety measures in schools and aims to improve awareness, prevention and emergency response.

The guidance applies to all types of serious allergies, including:

Food allergies (including nuts, milk, eggs and sesame)
Insect sting allergies
Medication allergies
Animal allergies
Other diagnosed severe allergies

It is important to note that this is not just about nut allergies.

How We Support Pupils with Allergies

At St Bartholomew's we:

✅ Maintain a dedicated Allergy Safety Policy.
✅ Provide allergy awareness and anaphylaxis training for staff.
✅ Keep spare emergency adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) on site.
✅ Develop Individual Healthcare Plans where required.
✅ Work closely with families to understand pupils' medical needs.
✅ Ensure educational visits, clubs and activities are inclusive and safe.
✅ Promote understanding and respect for pupils with allergies.
✅ Regularly review our procedures and emergency arrangements.

What Parents and Carers Should Do

Please inform the school if your child has a diagnosed allergy or experiences allergic reactions.

Parents and carers should:

Provide up-to-date medical information.
Supply any prescribed medication required by the school.
Inform us of any changes to medical needs.
Attend review meetings when requested.
Ensure medication remains in date and is clearly labelled.

Working together helps us keep every child safe ❤️

Allergy Awareness

Allergies can affect people in different ways. Symptoms may include:

Itching or hives
Swelling of the lips, face or tongue
Stomach pain or vomiting
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Dizziness or collapse

Any suspected severe allergic reaction will be treated as a medical emergency, and emergency services will be contacted immediately.

School Meals and Packed Lunches

Our catering team, Caterlink, follows allergen management procedures and provides allergen information where required.

While we cannot guarantee that the school environment is completely allergen-free, we take reasonable steps to reduce risks and promote safe practices for all pupils. Parents are encouraged to discuss any dietary concerns with the school.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Benedict's Law only about nut allergies?

No. Benedict's Law covers the management of all serious allergies, including food, medication, animal and insect allergies.

Does the school have a nut-free policy?

We are a nut-aware school. While we cannot guarantee a completely nut-free environment, we ask families not to send products containing nuts into school.

What happens if my child has a severe allergy?

The school will work with you to create an Individual Healthcare Plan and ensure appropriate staff are aware of your child's needs.

Are staff trained to deal with allergic reactions?

Yes. Staff receive AAIs (Epipen) Use & Severe Allergy Response training, including recognising the signs of anaphylaxis and responding appropriately.

Can children with allergies go on school trips?

Yes. We aim to ensure all pupils can take part in trips, visits and extra-curricular activities safely through appropriate planning and risk assessment.

What should I do if my child is newly diagnosed with an allergy?

Please contact the school as soon as possible so that we can update records, discuss support arrangements and review any required healthcare plans.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about allergy safety, please contact:

Miss Bettina Storey, Allergy Lead

For further information, please see our:

Allergy Safety & Anaphylaxis Policy
Medication Policy & Management Procedure
Educational Visits Policy