To protect pupils with severe allergies, packed lunches and snacks must not contain nuts or nut-containing products. This is a whole-school policy and is particularly important as we currently have pupils with known severe allergic reactions.

Why this matters

  • Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening. For some children, even tiny amounts of nut residue can trigger anaphylaxis.
  • Nut dust spreads. Nuts leave invisible dust and residues on hands, tables, chairs and lunchboxes. That dust can be breathed in or transferred to other foods.
  • Someties the childrn will eat their packed lunch in classrooms. Because pupils eat at their desks, contamination of surfaces is more likely and harder to spot.

What “severely allergic” means

A pupil with a severe allergy may experience:

  • Hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing,
  • A drop in blood pressure, dizziness, or loss of consciousness,
  • Immediate medical intervention may be needed (e.g. epipen).

Knowing this helps us understand that the rule isn’t about being fussy — it’s about keeping a child alive.

Practical guidance for parents

  • Always check ingredient labels for words like “may contain nuts,” “contains almonds/peanuts/hazelnuts,” or similar.
  • Choose clearly nut-free alternatives. Examples:
    • Sandwiches with cheese, egg, tuna, ham, salad or hummus (check hummus if pre-made).
    • Yogurts, plain fruit, vegetable sticks, crackers (nut-free), rice cakes.
    • Cereal bars labelled nut-free, or fruit bars.
  • Avoid:
    • Peanut butter, Nutella, mixed-nut snacks, pesto (often contains pine nuts), some granolas, and anything labelled “may contain traces of nuts.”
  • If sending food from home or shops: include a note if you’re unsure of ingredients — we appreciate the heads-up.

What the school does

  • We ask all families to follow the nut-free guidance to reduce risk.
  • Staff are trained to recognise and respond to allergic reactions. Where appropriate, we keep emergency medication (e.g. epi-pens) and have protocols in place.
  • We clean shared surfaces regularly and take extra care during lunch times and after food activities.

What to do if your child has an allergy

If your child has any food allergy, please notify the office immediately and provide any relevant medical plans or medication. We’ll work with you to make sure your child is safe and included.

Thank you for helping us keep every child safe. Small choices in packed lunches make a big difference.