Choosing a primary, infant or junior school for your child with allergies 

Whether you’re a first-time school parent or preparing to send your little one off to “big school”, choosing the right setting can feel both exciting and overwhelming. For families of children with allergies, there’s the added challenge of making sure the school not only understands allergy safety but is fully prepared to support your child as they begin managing their condition outside the home, often for the very first time. 

Every child deserves to learn, play and thrive in an environment that is safe, inclusive and confident in meeting their health needs. As you explore school options, the questions below can help you understand each school’s allergy awareness, procedures and commitment to keeping children safe. 

Allergy questions to ask a school 

1. Where can I find the school’s medical conditions policy? Is there a specific allergy policy? If not, ask what procedures are in place to manage allergies, prevent exposure, recognise anaphylaxis and provide emergency treatment. 
2. Does the school have ‘spare’ adrenaline auto-injectors? If so, are they stored centrally and easily accessible (not locked away)? 
3. Do all staff receive annual allergy awareness training? This should include recognising allergic reactions and administering adrenaline correctly. If not all staff are trained, ask who is—and whether your child would be guaranteed timely support within the recommended five minutes. 
4. How is the school canteen managed? Can your child eat safely? Ask about allergen labelling, cross-contamination prevention and how staff supervise lunchtime. 
5. Will my child be fully included in all school activities? This includes trips, sports, after-school clubs and special events. Inclusion should never be compromised by allergy concerns. 
6. Who will be my main point of contact? Ask who you should speak to about your child’s allergies once they start school and how concerns are handled. 
7. How does the school communicate with parents? Understanding how the school shares information about upcoming events, menu changes or enrichment activities can help you stay prepared. 
8. Where will my child’s adrenaline be kept during sports and outdoor activities? Medication must always be immediately accessible. 
9. What is the school’s bullying policy? Unfortunately, occasionally Allergy-related bullying does happen. Ask if the school educates the other student about allergy and to prevent this and how concerns would be addressed if they arise.   

Visiting the school 

Attending a school tour or open morning can be incredibly helpful. It allows you to see the spaces where your child will learn, play and eat, and gives you the chance to ask specific questions that arise as you walk around.  

If you’re unable to attend scheduled events, schools are usually happy to offer alternative arrangements—just ask. 

Remember: the application deadline for primary schools is 15 January. 

How Anaphylaxis UK can help 

Anaphylaxis UK provides comprehensive, allergy-specific training for schools that creates a whole school awareness for allergy management—including recognising allergic reactions, preventing cross-contamination and administering adrenaline auto-injectors confidently. 

If your chosen school hasn’t accessed allergy training recently, encourage them to get in touch with us. We’re here to support schools in creating safe, inclusive environments where children with allergies can learn and thrive. 

And of course, if you have questions or need guidance at any stage of the process, our team is here for you too.