New Allergy Safety Guidance for Schools | Minister Visits Allergy School
Around 2 children in every classroom in the UK have a food allergy
Major Step Forward for Allergy Safety in Schools: Minister Visits Allergy School as New Guidance Announced
Children with food allergies deserve to feel safe at school.
This week marked a significant milestone in improving allergy safety in schools across England, as the Government announced new statutory guidance that will strengthen how schools protect pupils with food allergies.
On the same day as the announcement, Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey visited Edith Neville Primary School in north London to see first-hand how Allergy School, the free training and resources programme created by Natasha’s Foundation, is already helping schools prepare.
What Is Changing Under the New Allergy Safety Law?
From September 2026, schools will be required to follow mandatory statutory guidance designed to improve food allergy safety.
The new law and allergy guidance, named after Benedict Blythe, who tragically died aged five following an allergic reaction at school will require schools to:
Have a robust allergy policy in place
Keep spare emergency adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) on site
Ensure staff are trained to recognise and respond to anaphylaxis
This is a major step forward in protecting children with life-threatening allergies in educational settings.
Pupils at Edith Neville Primary School presenting why Allergy School is important
Why Allergy Safety in Schools Matters
Around two children in every classroom in the UK have a food allergy.
And 20% of food allergic reactions occur in schools.
Yet research by NASUWT, in collaboration with Natasha’s Foundation, found:
67% of teachers have received no allergy awareness training
1 in 5 teachers has never been taught how to administer an adrenaline auto-injector
In a life-threatening emergency, confidence and training can save lives.
This is why implementation matters just as much as legislation.
Allergy School is supporting schools with allergy and anaphylaxis training and guidance
How Allergy School Is Supporting Schools Right Now
Allergy School is a £1 million programme developed by the parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died aged 15 from an allergic reaction to sesame.
Created by Natasha’s Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, Allergy School provides:
Free, curriculum-mapped classroom resources
Accredited staff allergy awareness and anaphylaxis training
Practical guidance on emergency procedures and what to do in an allergy medical emergency
Support for developing effective school allergy policies, including best practice and model templates
Since launching in February last year, more than 22,000 educators and school staff have engaged with the programme, either through its free resources or its certified allergy training delivered with High Speed Training.
During her visit, Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey MP saw how Allergy School is already strengthening awareness and improving preparedness in real school settings.
Ruby Nasser, Headteacher of Edith Neville Primary School with Minister for Early Education Olivia Bailey MP, Jan Parnell, Director of Education at Natasha’s Foundation and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, co-founder and trustee of Natasha’s Foundation
A Whole-School Approach to Food Allergy Protection
Edith Neville Primary School is one of the first schools in London to adopt Allergy School.
Ruby Nasser, Headteacher, said:
“Food allergies are a serious issue that all schools need to be prepared for. We want all our children to feel safe, included and confident in school, and Allergy School resources and training allow us to increase understanding of food allergies among both teachers and children.”
The programme was developed in partnership with The King’s Foundation, St John Ambulance, Coram Life Education, High Speed Training and Tesco Stronger Starts. It is endorsed by the Department for Education and mapped to the National Curriculum to ensure it is practical and easy for schools to use.
A Personal Mission to Protect Children
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, founder of Natasha’s Foundation and Natasha’s mother, said:
“Ensuring Natasha’s wellbeing was always our top priority as parents, and it is what motivated us to set up Allergy School.
Allergy School has already trained more than 20,000 educators, and we are ready to work with the Government and schools to create safer, more inclusive environments for children with food allergies through the implementation of Benedict’s Law.”
The introduction of mandatory allergy guidance is a critical milestone. But real change happens when schools are equipped, confident and prepared.
What Schools Should Do Now
Ahead of the new law coming into force in September 2026, schools are encouraged to:
What Schools Should Do Now
Ahead of the new law coming into force in September 2026, schools are encouraged to:
Review and strengthen their allergy policy
Ensure spare AAIs are available and accessible
Provide staff with allergy and anaphylaxis training
Embed food allergy awareness into school culture
Natasha’s Foundation is hosting FREE Allergy School webinars to support schools in taking these practical steps.
Allergy Safety in Schools: A Turning Point
This new statutory guidance represents one of the most significant developments in food allergy protection in schools in recent years.
But legislation alone is not enough.
With the right allergy and anaphylaxis training, clear procedures and whole-school approach, we can ensure that children with food allergies are not only safe, but included, empowered and able to thrive.
Schools can sign up to Allergy School’s free resources and training at:
www.allergyschool.org.uk