🥪 Allergy Safety Reminder

Keeping Every Child Safe

At Edleston Primary School, we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all pupils. As part of our allergy awareness work and preparations for Benedict's Law, children are regularly taught about allergies and how they can help keep their friends safe.

Our Simple School Rule

Eat your own food. Drink your own drink.

To help protect pupils with allergies, children should never share:

• Food
• Snacks
• Sweets
• Drinks

Even a small amount of the wrong food can cause a serious allergic reaction for some children. Allergies are not always visible, so the safest approach is for every child to eat only their own food and drink only from their own bottle.

How Parents Can Help

Please reinforce these simple messages at home:

✅ Eat your own food.

✅ Drink your own drink.

✅ Never share snacks, sweets or drinks.

✅ Tell an adult if you are worried about a friend.

By working together, we can ensure that all children feel safe, included and able to enjoy school. Thank you for your continued support.  

Kindness is sharing smiles, not sharing snacks! 😊

 

Allergy Awareness – Parent FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

As part of our commitment to keeping all children safe and our preparations for Benedict's Law, we have answered some of the questions parents may have about allergies and food safety in school.  

What is an allergy?

An allergy occurs when a person's immune system reacts to a substance that is normally harmless. Common food allergens include nuts, milk, eggs, fish and sesame, although children may be allergic to other foods as well.  

Why are allergies taken so seriously in school?

For some children, exposure to an allergen can cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, swelling and collapse, and require immediate medical attention.

What is Benedict's Law?

Benedict's Law introduces statutory expectations for allergy safety in schools. It requires schools to have clear policies, staff training, emergency procedures and systems to help prevent, recognise and respond to allergic reactions.

Why is the school talking to children about allergies?

The school's allergy policy includes age-appropriate teaching about allergies, keeping others safe and understanding the importance of not sharing food. These messages are reinforced through assemblies, PSHE and daily school life.

Why can't children share food or drinks?

Even if food appears safe, it may contain ingredients that could trigger an allergic reaction in another child. Because children may not know exactly what ingredients are in their snacks, sharing food or drinks presents an unnecessary risk. For this reason, children are encouraged to eat their own food and drink only from their own bottle or cup.  

My child doesn't have allergies. Why do they need to follow this rule?

Not all allergies are obvious or visible. By following the school's "no sharing food or drinks" rule, every child plays a role in protecting the safety and wellbeing of others. This helps create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.  

How will the school care for children with allergies?

The school maintains systems to support pupils with diagnosed allergies, including individual healthcare plans, allergy action plans and a central allergy register. Relevant staff are informed of pupils' needs and receive allergy awareness and emergency response training.  

What happens if a child has an allergic reaction in school?

Staff are trained to recognise the signs of an allergic reaction and to respond immediately. Emergency procedures include seeking medical assistance, administering emergency medication where required and contacting parents or carers.

What should I do if my child has an allergy?

Please ensure that the school has up-to-date medical information and notify us of any changes to your child's condition, medication or care requirements. Working closely together helps us keep your child safe.

How can parents help at home?

We would appreciate your support in reinforcing these simple messages:

✅ Eat your own food.

✅ Drink your own drink.

✅ Never share snacks, sweets or drinks.

✅ Tell an adult if you are worried about someone.

Consistent messages at home and school help children understand that these rules are there to protect everyone.

Our Simple Allergy Safety Message

Eat your own food. Drink your own drink. Keep everyone safe.

Thank you for supporting us in creating a safe, inclusive and caring