As an Academy, we have a fundamental responsibility to keep our students safe, and this becomes particularly crucial when we have students with airborne nut allergies. The statistics from FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) are quite sobering - they indicate that "one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom, has a food allergy."

What makes this matter especially serious is that the potential severity of food allergies can be somewhat unpredictable. Many food allergies that may initially appear mild can become life-threatening over time, and all children with food allergies are at risk of developing severe, life-threatening reactions to their allergens. When exposure to a food allergen triggers an anaphylactic attack, the child faces serious danger as their body enters a state of shock, requiring immediate medical intervention.

Since there is no cure available for food allergies, prevention truly is the best medicine. What's particularly concerning is that severe allergic reactions can occur from cross-contamination - this could happen when peanut or tree nut particles are transferred from the hands of someone who has recently eaten nuts to a child with a severe nut allergy.

Therefore, we are aiming to be a nut free school and do not allow nuts or nut products to be brought in to school.

Being 'Nut Free' means that the following items should not be brought into school:

• Packs of nuts
• Peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches
• Fruit and cereal bars that contain nuts
• Chocolate bars or sweets that contain nuts
• Sesame seed rolls (children allergic to nuts may also have a severe reaction to sesame)
• Cakes made with nuts
• Any home cooked meals for packed lunches that are made from nuts

Caterlink, our school catering company, follows Natasha's Law and the food they prepare on site is nut free. 

However, we cannot guarantee freedom from nut traces and therefore it is not possible to guarantee and enforce a nut free zone.  Staff cannot monitor all lunches and snacks brought in from home.  A free from environment creates a false sense of security and does not safely prepare children for environments where nuts may be present. 

This policy is not just about following guidelines; it's about creating a safe environment where all our students can learn and thrive without fear. Your cooperation and understanding in this matter will make a genuine difference to the wellbeing of our most vulnerable students.