St Mary's Catholic Primary School

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Allergy Safety Policy 2026

ALLERGY SAFETY POLICY

 

School: St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Allergy Safety Lead: Mrs Nicola Price

 

  1. POLICY STATEMENT

 

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all pupils, staff, volunteers and visitors with allergies.

 

As a Catholic school, we recognise the dignity and worth of every individual and are committed to ensuring that pupils with allergies are able to participate fully in all aspects of school life. We work in partnership with families, healthcare professionals and the wider school community to safeguard pupils and promote their wellbeing.

 

The Governing Body is committed to reducing the risk of exposure to known allergens, ensuring prompt and effective emergency responses, promoting awareness and understanding of allergies, and supporting the emotional wellbeing of those affected.

 

A named member of the Senior Leadership Team has responsibility for overseeing allergy safety across the school and for ensuring this policy is fully implemented and reviewed annually.

 

  1. ALLERGY SAFETY LEADERSHIP

 

The school has appointed Mrs Nicola Price, School Business Manager, as the designated Allergy Safety Lead.

 

Mrs Price is responsible for leading allergy safety across the school, maintaining oversight of training and compliance, reviewing allergy incidents and near misses, ensuring medical records remain current, monitoring the effectiveness of Individual Healthcare Plans, liaising with families and healthcare professionals, coordinating annual policy review and reporting to governors.

 

  1. TRAINING AND AWARENESS

 

The school provides annual allergy awareness and emergency response training for all staff, including teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, office staff, catering staff, wraparound staff, sports coaches, agency staff, supply staff and regular volunteers.

 

All new staff receive allergy awareness training as part of induction, and supply staff receive key allergy information before commencing duties.

 

Training ensures staff can recognise allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, understand allergy-related conditions, administer adrenaline autoinjectors and asthma medication where required, locate healthcare plans and respond effectively in an emergency.

 

  1. PROMOTING WELLBEING

 

The school actively promotes the wellbeing of pupils with allergies through inclusion, pastoral support, strong communication, and partnership with families.

 

The school operates a zero-tolerance approach to bullying related to allergies. Any intentional exposure to allergens or behaviour that threatens a child’s safety will be treated as a serious safeguarding and behaviour matter.

 

  1. MINIMISING RISK

 

The school takes reasonable and proportionate measures to minimise exposure to allergens. Staff consider allergy risks when planning curriculum activities, educational visits, celebrations, food-related activities, animal encounters and practical learning opportunities.

 

Food sharing between pupils is discouraged and reasonable measures are implemented for pupils with food, airborne or contact allergies.

 

  1. FOOD ALLERGY MANAGEMENT

 

The school works closely with catering providers to manage food allergy risks. Accurate allergen information is available, menu changes are reviewed and cross-contamination risks are considered.

 

  1. IDENTIFICATION AND RECORD KEEPING

 

The school maintains an up-to-date allergy register recording known allergens, medication, healthcare plans, action plans and emergency contacts.

 

  1. INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE PLANS

 

Individual Healthcare Plans are in place where a pupil's allergy requires additional support or specific arrangements. Healthcare plans are reviewed annually and following significant changes to medical advice.

 

  1. PRESCRIBED ADRENALINE AUTO-INJECTORS

 

Pupils prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors have rapid access to their medication throughout the school day, including during lunchtimes, PE, extracurricular activities and educational visits.

 

  1. SPARE ADRENALINE DEVICES

 

The school maintains spare adrenaline auto-injectors in line with statutory guidance. Devices are clearly labelled, stored in accessible locations, checked regularly and available within five minutes from any location on site.

 

  1. EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES

 

Risk assessments are completed for visits and activities. Pupils with allergies are fully included wherever it is safe and reasonable to do so. Medication accompanies pupils on all visits.

 

  1. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 

In the event of an allergic reaction, staff follow the individual's Allergy Action Plan, administer medication as required, call emergency services where necessary and contact parents.

 

  1. RECORDING INCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES

 

All allergy incidents and near misses are recorded, reviewed and used to improve practice.

 

  1. INFORMATION SHARING AND CONFIDENTIALITY

 

Relevant allergy information is shared on a need-to-know basis in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

 

  1. RAISING AWARENESS

 

This policy is published on the school website, available on request and supported through annual staff training.

 

  1. MONITORING AND REVIEW

 

The Governing Body monitors implementation of this policy through annual reviews, incident monitoring, training records and stakeholder feedback.

 

School: St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Allergy Safety Lead: Mrs Nicola Price, Deputy Headteacher