At St Aidan's Church of England Primary Academy, the health, safety, and inclusion of every child are central to our school vision. In line with our commitment to nurturing happy, well-rounded learners who can grow in God and achieve their fullest potential, we have updated our approach to allergy safety.

Rather than relying solely on a 'nut-free' label, St Aidan's is proudly an Allergy Aware school. This means we actively recognise that allergies extend beyond nuts—encompassing food, insect stings, medicines, and airborne triggers—and we work proactively across our whole school community to manage risks and support our pupils.

 

Our Approach to Allergy Safety

We aim to create an inclusive environment where pupils with allergies are safe, supported, and fully included in all aspects of school life.

 

  • Proactive Identification: We work with parents and carers to capture up-to-date allergy information before children start school, with annual reviews and updates whenever medical needs change.

  • Individual Support: Where appropriate, pupils with allergies have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) and an official Allergy Action Plan or Asthma Action Plan provided by a healthcare professional.

  • Trained Staff & Emergency Readiness: All staff receive compulsory annual allergy awareness training, including how to spot the signs of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, and how to administer adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs).

  • Medication Access: Prescribed AAIs are kept in classrooms in an easily accessible, central location. We also store spare emergency AAIs and asthma reliever inhalers in the staffroom.

  • Hygiene & Lunchtimes: Children are encouraged to wash their hands before and after eating. Food sharing is not permitted, and school meals clearly display information on the top 14 allergens.

  • Inclusion & Wellbeing: No child with an allergy is excluded from trips, food technology, science, or sports. We conduct risk assessments for off-site events and activities to ensure complete safety.

 

How Parents and Carers Can Help

Safety is a partnership between school and home. We ask our school community to support us by following these steps:

 

  • Keep Us Updated: Please inform the school immediately of any new allergy diagnoses, changes in medication, or updated treatment plans.

  • Provide In-Date Medication: If your child is prescribed an AAI or inhaler, please supply two in-date devices to the school and ensure they are replaced before their expiry date.

  • Food Brought to School: Please follow school guidance when sending in packed lunches or snacks, ensuring that items are clearly labelled and safe for our shared environment.

  • Contacting Us: If your child's medical needs change during the school year, please contact the main office promptly on 01254 53148 or email [email protected].