Benedict’s Law
At St Hugh of Lincoln RC Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of every child is extremely important to us.
From September 2026, schools in England have new statutory responsibilities for allergy safety. These changes are widely associated with Benedict’s Law, which followed the tragic death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe from anaphylaxis at school in 2021.
The changes aim to ensure that children with allergies are kept safe at school and that staff know how to recognise and respond quickly to a serious allergic reaction.
What does this mean for our school?
As part of our commitment to allergy safety, we will:
- have a clear Allergy and Anaphylaxis Policy, which is reviewed regularly and available on our school website;
- ensure staff receive appropriate allergy and anaphylaxis training;
- make sure children who require additional support for their allergy have an appropriate Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP);
- ensure important information about children’s allergies is available to the staff who need it;
- have clear procedures for responding to an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis;
- ensure appropriate medication, including prescribed adrenaline auto- injectors (AAIs), can be accessed quickly in an emergency; and
- record and review serious allergic reactions and near misses so that we can continue to improve our procedures.
How parents and carers can help
Parents and carers play an essential part in helping us keep children safe. If your child has a known or suspected allergy, please make sure that school is informed and that we have the most up-to-date information about their needs.
Please also let us know promptly if:
- your child receives a new allergy diagnosis;
- their medication changes;
- their allergy action plan or medical advice changes; or
- a new adrenaline auto-injector has been prescribed.
Where medication is kept in school, parents and carers should ensure that it is in date and replaced when necessary.
Working together to keep children safe
Allergies can be serious and, in some cases, life-threatening. By working closely with our families, pupils and staff, we aim to provide a safe and inclusive environment in which children with allergies can participate fully and confidently in school life.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s allergies, please contact the school office.
Our School Now Has Anaphylaxis Kit
