Following the tragic loss of five-year-old Benedict Blythe due to an allergic reaction at school, his mother has established the Benedict Blythe Foundation. The foundation’s comprehensive study has revealed significant shortcomings in how English schools manage allergies, prompting calls for legislative changes.
Despite the absence of evidence implicating Benedict’s former school in any specific failures, his mother’s inquiry has highlighted the need for improved allergy management practices in educational settings.
The study, conducted in collaboration with The Institute of Clever Stuff, analyzed 2,198 schools. Alarmingly, nearly half lacked life-saving medication on site, and approximately a quarter failed to provide training on allergy symptoms and emergency response protocols.
Helen Blythe, the foundation’s founder, emphasizes that these findings indicate a “systemic failing” in the provision of safe environments for students with allergies. She advocates for the adoption of four essential safeguards: an allergy policy, individualized healthcare plans, on-site medication, and staff training.
“It is astonishing that 70% of schools do not implement these basic measures,” Ms. Blythe stated. “This glaring deficiency needlessly endangers children.”
She urges the government to mandate comprehensive policies for allergy management in schools.
Tom, a 13-year-old from Essex, is now homeschooled due to concerns about inadequate allergy management at his previous school. He expressed anxiety due to teachers’ lack of knowledge about his allergies.
“I felt unsafe and undervalued,” Tom said. “Their negligence made me question their ability to protect me.”
His mother, Alison, recounts a series of errors that raised severe concerns about her son’s safety. “Anaphylaxis care appears to be highly subjective, varying depending on the individual handling the situation,” she said.
Michael Dove, catering operations manager for Thomas Deacon Education Trust, highlights funding constraints as a challenge for schools in effectively managing allergies. He calls for support from the government to address this issue.
A Department for Education spokesperson acknowledged the importance of allergy management, stating that schools are responsible for ensuring that students with medical conditions are adequately supported and safe.