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by Jess Gibson

A new, free Allergy School programme has been launched to protect children with food allergies in education settings by The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF).

The Allergy School programme provides free resources to all early years settings, primary schools, and out-of-school clubs and groups to encourage greater awareness and understanding of food allergies, while also enabling children to feel empowered, included and protected. The resources include films, lesson plans and assembly packs created by the charity in partnership with Coram Life Education, The King’s Foundation, St John Ambulance, and Tesco Stronger Starts. 

 The resources – available at  – feature schools, teaching staff and children sharing their own stories and food allergy best practices. They also introduce Arlo, the friendly, food-allergic armadillo who “helps to educate children about food allergies in a positive and engaging way”. The Department for Education (DfE) encourages settings to use such resources as part of their work to fulfil their statutory duties to manage allergy risks, as set out in the government’s and the

The first wave of resources is specifically for early years settings, childminders, primary schools, and out-of-school clubs and groups looking after children aged three to 11. 

Jan Forshaw MBE, head of education at Coram Life Education, said: “Awareness of food allergies among the whole community is vital. Children with food allergies are often excluded from events because of a general lack of knowledge and understanding of the issues they face. They can also experience bullying because their allergy can make them appear different to other children.

“The lessons and assemblies we have developed with Natasha’s Foundation work together to help everyone learn about the challenges and risks faced by children with food allergies – focusing on facts and, crucially, on developing empathy and caring attitudes. We are delighted to be part of this great work.”