Schools across England are preparing for one of the most important changes to pupil health and safety in recent years. From September 2026, new statutory guidance linked to Benedict’s Law will introduce stronger protections for children with allergies in schools — including mandatory staff training, improved allergy policies, and access to life-saving emergency medication.
For schools, this is more than a compliance update. It is an opportunity to create safer, more confident learning environments for pupils, staff, and parents alike.
What Is Benedict’s Law?
Benedict’s Law was introduced following the tragic death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who died after suffering an allergic reaction at school in 2021. Since then, Benedict’s family, alongside allergy charities and healthcare professionals, have campaigned for stronger and more consistent allergy safety measures in schools across England.
The UK Government has now announced new statutory guidance that will come into force in September 2026, aimed at improving how schools manage allergies and respond to anaphylaxis emergencies.
What Will Schools Be Required to Do?
Under the new guidance, schools will be expected to:
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Hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), such as EpiPens or Jext devices
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Ensure staff receive allergy awareness and anaphylaxis training
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Implement clear whole-school allergy policies
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Maintain Individual Healthcare Plans for pupils with allergies
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Improve emergency response procedures and incident recording
The guidance applies to schools across England and is designed to ensure a more consistent approach to allergy safety nationwide.
Why This Matters
Food allergies among children are increasing, and schools are one of the most common places for severe allergic reactions to occur outside the home.
The Department for Education has stated that stronger allergy procedures will not only help save lives but also reduce disruption to children’s education, with hundreds of thousands of school days currently lost each year due to allergy-related illness and appointments.
For school leaders, governors, teachers, support staff, and lunchtime supervisors, confidence and preparedness are critical. In an emergency, recognising the signs of anaphylaxis quickly and responding correctly can make all the difference.
How Schools Can Prepare Now
Although the new guidance takes effect in September 2026, schools are being encouraged to start preparations early. Planning ahead allows schools to:
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Train staff before the new academic year
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Review existing allergy and medical condition policies
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Update emergency procedures
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Ensure compliance without disrupting teaching schedules
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Build confidence among staff and parents
Many schools are already reviewing their safeguarding and first aid procedures in anticipation of the changes.
Training Will Be Key
One of the biggest changes under Benedict’s Law is the emphasis on staff training. The proposed guidance highlights the importance of ensuring all staff can:
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Recognise allergy symptoms and anaphylaxis
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Respond appropriately during emergencies
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Safely administer adrenaline auto-injectors
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Understand the school’s allergy management procedures
Importantly, this is not expected to apply only to designated first aiders. Teachers, teaching assistants, office staff, catering teams, and lunchtime supervisors may all require appropriate awareness training.
Supporting Schools with Practical Training
At Office Test, we help schools prepare for changing compliance requirements with practical, engaging training delivered by experienced professionals.
Our school-focused training programmes include:
To minimise disruption, sessions can be delivered during inset days, staff training days, or school holidays — helping schools prepare confidently ahead of the September 2026 deadline.
