Supporting students with allergies: New ELSA Resources to build confidence 

Over the past year, we have been highlighting an often-overlooked issue: the emotional toll of having an allergy.  

For students living with allergies, the school day can present many dangers which leads to persistent anxiety, including eating in the cafeteria and snack time. Research has consistently shown that stress and anxiety can impact academic performance and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs reminds us that students who don’t feel safe are unlikely to reach their full potential in learning. 

In many cases, students with allergies are navigating this reality silently. A lack of awareness, misinformation, or inconsistency in allergy management across schools can leave these young people feeling isolated and unsupported. Creating an allergy-aware environment—where staff are trained, the curriculum is inclusive, and safety is prioritised—is critical. 

In order to ensure that students can function at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs they need to be able to gain the belief that their needs are being met.  We are pleased to announce the launch of brand-new resources designed specifically for ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) and pastoral leads to use with students living with allergies. Developed in collaboration with: 

• Dr Rebecca Arnold, Lead Clinical Psychologist in Paediatric Allergy 

• Sophie Thake, Health Psychology MSc student at the Evelina Paediatric Psychology Service 

• Tracey Dunn, Education and AllergyWise® Manager, with extensive experience in developing emotional support practices in schools 

These new materials offer a flexible “pick and mix” approach, allowing staff to tailor sessions to meet the needs of individual pupils. The aim is to build emotional literacy, confidence, and resilience in students navigating life with allergies. 

All resources are available to download for free from our website. 

Please spread the word with colleagues and across your school community to help make education a safer a place for students with allergies. 

#TheHiddenBattlewithAllergies