New research by the The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) , the teachers’ union, in collaboration with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, reveals that 95% of teachers now have children with food allergies in their school, yet 67% have had no allergy awareness training.
About the Allergy School Programme
The findings of the recent survey coincide with the launch of our charity partner, Natasha’s Foundation, new Allergy School programme.
Allergy School aims to transform understanding of food allergies in schools so that children with food allergies feel empowered, included and protected. Allergy School provides practical resources for nurseries, primary schools and out-of-school clubs and groups looking after children aged 3 to 11 to encourage greater awareness and understanding of food allergies.
The Allergy School resources are FREE and available at use www.AllergySchool.org.uk
We are delighted to be supporting Natasha’s Foundation in delivering such a ground-breaking and essential programme. Studies show around two children in every classroom has a food allergy and 20% of food allergic reactions occur in schools.
Support & Recognition from HM King Charles and Stephen Morgan MP
As Royal Founding President of The King’s Foundation and Royal Patron of St John Ambulance, His Majesty King Charles has sent a message of support saying: “I am delighted to hear of the launch of ‘Allergy School’, the new educational programme by The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Improving understanding of this issue is so important for keeping children with food allergies safe and ensuring they are able to participate fully in activities at school or in our wider communities.
The resources include 5 films for pupils and teachers, engaging lesson plans and assembly packs for Key Stages 1 and 2, a self-assessment tool to allow schools to determine how allergy-inclusive they are and how they can improve the safety and well-being of their allergic pupils, and allergy training for teachers. Allergy School will be extended to secondary, further and higher education in the future.
Government, schools, teachers, parents and pupils need to come together to support children with food allergies in this country.
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, founder of Natasha’s Foundation, whose daughter Natasha died aged 15 from a food allergic reaction, said “It can be really hard to keep a child with food allergies safe in school. Finding a nursery where Natasha would be safe was extremely difficult. Natasha at times was bullied at school because of her food allergies and this was incredibly stressful and isolating for both her and our family. “Today we are kickstarting that process. Our new Allergy School will transform levels of awareness and understanding of food allergies to ensure all children are safe and able to participate fully at school.”
