THE NATASHA ALLERGY RESEARCH FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW FREE SCHOOLS PROGRAMME TO PROTECT CHILDREN WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, has announced the launch of a new Allergy School programme.

This comes following research by the NASUWT, the teachers’ union, in collaboration with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, which reveals that 95% of teachers now have children with food allergies in their school, yet 67% have had no allergy awareness training.

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.

Earlier this year, we announced a three-year partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, which sees us donate annually to the charity and help support its vital research and education work. We cater for over 100,000 children every day, and know all too well how many young people are impacted by food allergies, so this is something which is close to our hearts.

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.

Allergy School has received messages of support from HM King Charles, Stephen Morgan MP, Minister for Early Years, as well as many parents and teachers.

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. Ensuring they are able to participate fully in activities at school or in our wider communities.”

The resources include five 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.

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. This was incredibly stressful and isolating for both her and our family.

“Government, schools, teachers, parents and pupils need to come together to support children with food allergies in this country.

“Today we are kickstarting that process. Our new Allergy School will transform levels of awareness and understanding of food allergies. This will ensure all children are safe and able to participate fully at school.”

Well done to everyone at The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation – brilliant to see this go live!

The Allergy School resources are free and available at use www.AllergySchool.org.uk