Waterloo Road & Natasha’s Foundation Join Forces to Raise Awareness of Food Allergies in Schools
A Powerful Food Allergy Storyline on BBC’s Waterloo Road
A new storyline in the BBC school drama Waterloo Road is shining a spotlight on the life-threatening risks of food allergies in secondary schools.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, worked closely with the writers to ensure the storyline accurately reflects the challenges faced by pupils with allergies and how schools should respond in an emergency.
In the episode, student Hope Drake (played by Savannah Kunyo), who has a severe allergy to dairy, experiences anaphylaxis at school. The dramatic event highlights the reality of what can happen when pupils are not fully protected.
Allergy awareness matters in schools
Why Food Allergy Awareness in Schools Matters
Around 2 pupils in every classroom have a diagnosed food allergy.
1 in 5 allergic reactions to food happen in school.
Yet research by Natasha’s Foundation and the NASUWT teachers’ union found:
67% of teachers have had no allergy awareness training.
1 in 5 teachers have never been shown how to use an adrenaline auto-injector.
Almost 60% of teachers don’t know if their school even has an allergy policy.
This variation in standards can put lives at risk, which is why Natasha’s Foundation is stepping in with practical solutions.
Free Allergy School Resources for Secondary Schools
In response to Waterloo Road’s storyline, Natasha’s Foundation has launched new resources for secondary schools through its Allergy School programme.
This FREE support is designed to help schools increase awareness, improve safeguards, and include pupils with food allergies.
It includes:
A self-assessment tool for Secondary Schools.
Best practice guidance for allergy policies and safeguards.
A short training film for staff and students on how to respond in a food allergy emergency.
All resources are mapped to the National Curriculum, easy to use, and endorsed by the Department for Education (DfE).
👉 Register now for free resources at www.allergyschool.org.uk
Voices from Natasha’s Foundation and Waterloo Road
“We are delighted that Waterloo Road chose to create a storyline around food allergies, and that the charity was able to work closely with them. Too often food allergies are misrepresented in the media, but this commitment to getting the facts right helps raise awareness in a way that could truly save lives.”
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, Founder of Natasha’s Foundation
“The show can be an amazing vehicle to raise issues that young people and families face. We’re so grateful for the support and guidance from Natasha’s Foundation in helping us tell this important story.”
Cameron Roach, executive producer of Waterloo Road
About Allergy School
Allergy School is a £1million educational programme from Natasha’s Foundation that provides free resources to help schools empower, protect, and include children with food allergies.
Originally launched for nurseries and primary schools, Allergy School is now extending into secondary schools to give teachers and staff the tools they need to keep pupils safe.
👉 Find out more and sign up at www.allergyschool.org.uk