The Educator Magazine U.K. September - December 2025 issue. - Magazine - Page 67
AS RESEARCH REVEALS ALARMING LACK OF
AWARENESS AMONG TEACHERS
“This important survey highlights the fact
that many teachers, including those with food
allergies, remain concerned and we want the
government to ensure that more is done to
support schools in this critical area.”
Studies show around two children in every
classroom has a food allergy (1), and 20% of
food allergic reactions occur in schools (3).
Hospital admissions for severe allergic
reactions (anaphylaxis) to food have more
than tripled in the last 20 years in the UK, with
young people most likely to be affected (4).
Billie Hoque, 35, from Luton, has three children
with food allergies. Her son Jess, aged 8, is
allergic to cow’s milk, and has experienced
several near-death allergic reactions.
Billie said:
“Jess faced an uphill battle at school as a result
of his food allergies. The school struggled to
comprehend the severity of his allergies and he
was often excluded from activities or put in dangerous situations where his allergen was present.
“This led him to experience severe anxiety when
he was just 4-years-old. He would wake in the
night and tell me he hated school and that he felt
lonely due to feeling different.
“He started to worry about what would
happen to him if teachers didn’t call an
ambulance on time in the event of an
allergic reaction. It was a struggle to get him
to schooleach day, from the minute he woke in
the morning he would be fighting back the tears
and when we eventually reached the classroom,
he would cling to me, cry and tell me that he
was too nervous.
“I believe Jess’ experience is similar to
thousands of others and is a consequence of the
stark lack of awareness and education schools
have in dealing with allergic children. I am so
pleased that Natasha’s Foundation are
launching Allergy School. I have no doubt that
this will save lives and also improve the mental
wellbeing of our allergic children at school.”
together to help everyone learn about the
challenges and risks faced by children
with food allergies – focusing on facts and,
crucially, on developing empathy and caring,
attitudes. We are delighted to be part of this
great work.”
Jan Parnell, Director of Education at
Natasha’s Foundation, said:
“We are proud to work with
Natasha’s Foundation on such an important
project by providing clinical guidance and using
our cadets’ expertise to create peer-led first
aid films. It's encouraging to see a shared
commitment to increase awareness of food
allergies, and these resources will allow children
and staff to confidently engage with all activities
around food.
“We recognise that nurseries, schools and
out-of-school settings are seeing more children
with food allergies come through their doors
than ever before. Unfortunately, there is a lack
of understanding about the seriousness of food
allergies and how to manage them.
"We want to end the challenges that children
with food allergies face so that they can be fully
involved in all activities in and out of school. We
would urge all schools to use our free resources.”
Dr Lynn Thomas, medical director of St John
Ambulance, said:
Allergy School will be extended to secondary,
further and higher education.
“However, as we know and have seen many
times, sadly for some people, certain ingredients
can lead to hospitalisations and can be fatal, so
we need to do more. The first time a child has an
extreme reaction to a new food, could be in your
presence, so being prepared is vital.”
Simon Sadinsky, Executive Director for
Education at The King's Foundation, said:
Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive,
said:
“We are thrilled to have worked with
Natasha’s Foundation to support the launch
of AllergySchool. At The King’s Foundation,
we give young people the chance to learn from
nature to improve their understanding
of our relationship to the planet, and boost their
general health and wellbeing. We are hugely
supportive of the Natasha Foundation’s work to
encourage everyone to be more allergy aware,
and look forward to seeing Allergy School
embraced by students and teachers across the
country.”
“Tesco is delighted to be sponsoring the Allergy
School films as part of our Stronger Starts
funding programme for schools and young
people. With the help of Allergy School, we can
all feel more confident around food allergies and
Tesco is proud to be part of improving education
on this important issue.”
Jan Forshaw MBE, Head of Education at
Coram Life Education, said:
“Awareness of food allergies among the whole
community is vital. Children with food allergies
are often excluded from events, because of a
general lack of knowledge and understanding
of the issues they face. They can also
experience bullying because their allergy
can make them appear different to other
children. The lessons and assemblies we have
developed with Natasha’s Foundation, work
Warrick Brownlow-Pike, the celebrated
puppeteer who created Arlo, said: “Natasha’s
Foundation is teaching such an important
message and it's an honour to be able to help
spread that awareness with the use of
puppets. Puppetry is a great tool to grab the
attention of children. Puppet characters create
a fun and safe environment where serious issues
can be discussed with a light-hearted tone.”
Allergy School is also working with training
providers High Speed Training and The Allergy
Badge, LMP Action, a national organisation
that develops education programmes and
activities, and Chelsea FC Foundation as part
of its Healthy Schools programme.
