Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, co-founder of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (Image: PA)
The mother of a teenager who died from an allergic reaction has told how her daughter was “bullied” at school because of her food intolerance. Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, from Fulham, west London, died in July 2016 aged 15, following a severe allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger sandwich containing sesame.
Her mother Tanya has launched an allergy school programme to train teachers and other school staff to better understand and deal with food allergies. She 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 and this was incredibly stressful and isolating for both her and our family.”
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“Government, schools, teachers, parents and pupils need to come together to support children with food allergies in this country.
“Our new Allergy School will transform levels of awareness and understanding of food allergies to ensure all children are safe and able to participate fully at school.”
King Charles last month sent a message of support for the allergy awareness programme for schools, which was developed in part with the King’s Foundation charity.
The King said he was “delighted” about the new scheme and said it was “so important” to keep children with food allergies safe.
Natasha went into cardiac arrest on a flight to Nice after buying the baguette at .
The inquest into her death heard that sesame, which she was allergic to, was not listed as an ingredient on the baguette’s packaging.
After her death, the law was changed to require all food outlets to provide a full ingredients list and allergy labelling on food pre-packaged for direct sale.
At least 95% of teachers have children with food allergies in their school, yet 67% have had no allergy awareness training.
One in five teachers has never been taught how to administer an adrenaline auto-injector which could save a life in a food allergy emergency, and almost two thirds (60%) don’t know or are unsure if their school even has an allergy policy.
The findings were revealed in a survey of 1,900 members of NASUWT, the teachers’ union.
Campaigners want the government to ensure that more is done to support schools in this “critical” area.
At least 20% of food allergic reactions occur in schools, figures showed.
Hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions to food have more than tripled in the last 20 years in the UK, with young people most likely to be affected.
The Government has been contacted for comment.
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, co-founder of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Every parent should take their child to school confident that they will be safe, included and protected.
But for the 2 children in every classroom with diagnosed food allergies, this is not always the case.
New research by the NASUWT teachers’ union, in collaboration with Natasha’s Foundation, has exposed the barriers faced by too many children with food allergies, which can leave them feeling excluded and isolated.
The survey of almost 1,900 teachers revealed that 67% have had no allergy awareness training.
One in five teachers has never been taught how to administer an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) which could save a life in a food allergy emergency, and almost two thirds don’t know or are unsure if their school even has an allergy policy.
Natasha’s Foundation wants this to change, because 20% of food allergic reactions happen in schools.
To help teachers create inclusive and safe environments for children with food allergies, the charity has created Allergy School – free, practical resources, made in collaboration with education experts, that empower educators to protect every child and foster confidence and understanding among pupils, ensuring those with food allergies feel supported.
The £1million national programme offers nurseries, primary schools and out-of-school clubs and groups looking after children aged 3 to 11 a suite of resources including films, lesson plans and assembly packs, and a self-assessment to see how allergy-friendly they currently are.
All are mapped into the National Curriculum to make them easy to use for all age groups.
The Government also needs to play its part to ensure schools are safe and inclusive for children and staff with food allergies.
We believe that every school should be funded by Government to hold spare AAIs.
Schools should have an allergy policy in place and offer catering that can guarantee safe food and a safe environment for allergic pupils whether that’s at breakfast club or school meals.
We all need to come together to support children with food allergies.
Allergy School is kickstarting that process by transforming levels of awareness and understanding of food allergies to ensure all children are safe and able to participate fully at school.