Allergy Safety
At New Moston Primary School, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and allergy-aware environment for every child.
We recognise that allergies can have a significant impact on children and families and, in some cases, allergic reactions can be life-threatening. Our approach focuses on reducing avoidable risks, ensuring staff have the right information and training, making emergency medication quickly accessible, and enabling children with allergies to participate fully in school life.
Our approach to allergy safety
We take a whole-school approach to allergy safety. This includes:
- identifying and recording pupils’ known allergies;
- developing individual plans where additional arrangements are required;
- sharing relevant information with staff who need it to keep a child safe;
- training staff in allergy awareness and emergency response;
- working closely with our catering provider to manage food allergens;
- reducing avoidable exposure to known allergens;
- ensuring emergency medication is readily accessible;
- considering allergy needs during lessons, clubs, wraparound provision, trips and school events; and
- reviewing incidents and near misses so that we can continually improve our arrangements.
Our whole-school Allergy and Anaphylaxis Risk Assessment considers foreseeable allergy risks across school, including food, curriculum activities, environmental allergens, trips, medication, staff training and emergency response.
An allergy-aware school
New Moston Primary School is an allergy-aware school.
We do not describe the school as completely “allergen-free” or “nut-free”, because it is not possible to guarantee that a particular allergen will never enter the school environment.
Instead, we use proportionate safety measures based on the needs of the children attending our school.
Where an individual child requires specific restrictions, adjustments or additional controls, these will be identified through their individual planning.
We ask all members of our school community to support us by following any allergy-related arrangements communicated by school and by helping children understand that food and drink should not be shared or exchanged.
Supporting children with allergies
Where a child has a significant allergy, is at risk of anaphylaxis, has prescribed emergency medication or requires arrangements beyond normal supervision, we will put an Individual Allergy Care Plan in place.
This may include information about:
- the child’s known allergens;
- signs and symptoms of their allergic reaction;
- medication and emergency arrangements;
- steps to reduce the risk of exposure;
- reasonable adjustments;
- arrangements for meals, snacks and activities; and
- any additional support required to enable the child to participate fully in school life.
Where a healthcare professional has provided a clinical Allergy Action Plan, this will be used alongside the school’s individual planning.
Where an allergy forms part of a wider or more complex medical need, arrangements may instead be incorporated within an Individual Health Care Plan.
Food and school meals
We work closely with our catering provider to support pupils with diagnosed food allergies and medically required special diets.
Relevant allergy information is shared appropriately with the catering team, and arrangements are in place to identify children who require a special diet and ensure they receive the correct meal.
Allergen information, ingredients and substitutions are appropriately checked, and measures are in place to reduce the risk of cross-contact during food preparation and service.
Children with allergies should not routinely be separated from their peers at mealtimes purely because of their allergy.
Food brought into school
Food brought into school can also present an allergy risk.
Parents, carers, pupils, staff and visitors must therefore follow any arrangements communicated by the school about food being brought onto the premises.
We discourage children from sharing food, drinks, bottles, cutlery or food containers.
Where food is provided as part of a celebration, curriculum activity, event or reward, staff will consider the allergy needs of pupils before it is offered.
If we cannot establish that an item is suitable for a pupil with a known allergy, it will not be given to that child.
Lessons, activities and school events
Allergies are considered beyond the dining hall.
Staff consider potential allergens when planning activities involving:
- cooking or food tasting;
- sensory materials;
- animals and plants;
- craft resources;
- cosmetics;
- latex;
- cleaning products; and
- other substances which may present an identified risk.
Where necessary, activities will be adapted and suitable alternatives or reasonable adjustments provided so that pupils can participate safely.
The same principles apply to clubs, wraparound provision, celebrations, performances and other school events.
Educational visits
Having an allergy should not prevent a child from taking part in school trips and wider opportunities.
Allergy needs are considered as part of visit planning. Relevant plans and medication will accompany pupils where required, and staff will consider food, transport, staffing and emergency arrangements before the visit takes place.
An additional individual risk assessment will be completed where this is required by a pupil’s needs.
Emergency medication and adrenaline
Emergency medication for pupils with allergies is stored so that it can be accessed quickly when needed.
The school also maintains school-held spare adrenaline auto-injectors for emergency use in accordance with national guidance.
We have an arrangement with KITT Medical for the provision and maintenance of our school emergency adrenaline auto-injector kit and associated training.
Staff receive allergy-awareness and emergency-response training and are taught that suspected anaphylaxis is a medical emergency requiring immediate action.
Where anaphylaxis is suspected, emergency treatment must not be delayed while waiting for a particular member of staff or while contacting parents.
Working with parents and carers
Parents and carers play an essential role in keeping children safe.
Please:
- tell us about any known or suspected allergy when your child joins the school;
- provide accurate and up-to-date medical information;
- provide any prescribed medication required in school;
- ensure medication remains in date;
- tell us immediately if your child’s diagnosis, allergens, symptoms, medication or treatment change;
- provide any Allergy Action Plan or clinical documentation issued by a healthcare professional; and
- contact us if you have any concerns about your child’s allergy arrangements.
We will work with you to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place.
If your child develops a new allergy
If your child receives a new allergy diagnosis, experiences a significant allergic reaction or you become concerned that they may have an allergy, please contact the school as soon as possible.
Our Pastoral and Medical Administration Team will work with you to gather the information we need and determine whether an Individual Allergy Care Plan or other arrangements are required.
Inclusion and wellbeing
We recognise that living with an allergy can affect a child’s confidence and wellbeing as well as their physical health.
Children with allergies will be supported to take part fully in school life wherever it is safe to do so. We will use reasonable adjustments rather than unnecessarily excluding children from activities.
Allergy-related teasing, threats, bullying, deliberate contamination or attempts to expose another child to an allergen are taken extremely seriously and will be addressed through our behaviour and safeguarding procedures.
As children grow older, we will also help them develop an age-appropriate understanding of their allergy, recognise when they need help and become increasingly confident in managing their own safety.
Our allergy safety documents
Our approach is set out in the following documents:
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Policy 2026–2027
Sets out our whole-school approach to identifying, managing and responding to allergies and anaphylaxis.
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Risk Assessment 2026–2027
Sets out the key allergy-related risks across school and the control measures we have put in place.
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Policy
Generic Allergy Risk Assessment
Contact us
If you need to tell us about your child’s allergy, provide updated medical information or discuss their individual arrangements, please contact our Pastoral Team at pastoral@newmoston.manchester.sch.uk.
You can also contact the school office at admin@newmoston.manchester.sch.uk or call 0161 681 1055.