Following the hearing into Benedict’s death it became clear that the school had no adequate policies or training and that cross contamination was the likely cause of the cow’s milk ingestion.
The parents of Benedict Blythe have campaigned since 2021 through the Benedict Blythe Foundation, working with clinicians, allergy charities and policymakers to lead a campaign for the government to address long-standing gaps in how schools manage life-threatening allergies. Overall:
- Around two children in every classroom have an allergy;
- Schools are one of the most common locations for severe allergic reactions outside the home; and
- Up to 30% of severe reactions occur in children with no prior diagnosis.
In 2026, the English Government confirmed that the principles of Benedict’s Law would be made into Statutory guidance from September 2026 for maintained schools including special schools, proprietors of academies and alternative provision academies in England.
The guidance produced by the Department for Education ‘Allergy safety in schools, July 2026’ sets out all the expected standards and those that are still to be made statutory e.g. the requirement to record serious incidents and near misses, relating to allergy safety.
What are the principles of ‘Allergy safety in schools, July 2026’?
The principles of the campaign were to make sure that schools provide spare adrenaline auto-injectors and devices, to provide staff with comprehensive allergy and anaphylaxis training, and clear and comprehensive school allergy policies supported by individual care plans are provided.
To make sure that your school is ready for the statutory guidance from September 2026, consider establishing a cross-school working group with representatives from:
- Pupil healthcare
- Catering
- Health and safety or compliance
- Pastoral care
- Sports and co-curricular activities
- Finance
This group should bring together representatives from key areas so that responsibilities are clear, resources are available, and the new standards are reviewed regularly. The statutory guidance requires the appointment of a named senior leader to take ownership of the allergy policy and oversee its implementation. The policy should be reviewed at least annually.
Does the new guidance apply to independent schools?
The government intends to introduce the equivalent standards through relevant statutory regulation for independent schools and non-maintained special schools in due course. It is likely that the statutory guidance will apply to independent schools from the start of the spring term 2027, so it is advisable to start your planning now.
Where can I get support?
Allergy safety in schools - GOV.UK
There are a variety of allergy charities below are a few with a school focus:
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