--- title: "Nut-Free Policy & Guidance" url: "https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals/nut-free-policy-guidance" school: "Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School" --- # Nut-Free Policy & Guidance 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. - **Sometimes 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. ### Key Information - [Admissions](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/admissions) - [Adverse Weather](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/adverse-weather) - [→ Hot Weather Guidance](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/adverse-weather/hot-weather-guidance) - [Breakfast & After-School Club](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/bridge-bees-after-school-club) - [Data Protection & GDPR](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/data-protection-gdpr) - [Equality & Diversity](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/equality) - [Homework](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/homework) - [Inclusion & SEN](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/inclusion-sen) - [PE Days](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/pe-days) - [Policies](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/policies) - [Remote Education](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/remote-education) - [School Meals](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals) - [→ Free School Meals](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals/free-school-meals) - [→ Nut-Free Policy](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/school-meals/nut-free-policy-guidance) - [Term Dates](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/term-dates) - [The School Day](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/the-school-day) - [Travelling to School](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/travelling-to-school) - [Uniform and PE Kit](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/uniform) - [Website Accessibility](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/policies/accessibility-statement) ![Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School](https://files.schudio.com/bridge-patrixbourne-cep-school-2/images/logo/Untitled_design_(13).png) #### Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School Conyngham Lane Canterbury Kent CT4 5JX 01227 830276 #### Quick Links - [Accelerated Reader](https://login.renaissance.com/12d2c70d-6700-47cc-8697-963c18493e4b/student?state=15f6cdf1-f2d2-403e-9e79-11dbb19009d1) - [BromCom ](https://cloudmis.bromcom.com/Nucleus/Framework/Login.aspx) - [Bromcom Help Centre](https://www.docs.bromcom.com) - [BromCom Training Portal](https://bridgeandpatrixbourne.bromcom.efrontlearning.com/) #### Useful Links - [Admission](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/admissions) - [Contact Us](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/contact) - [Inclusion & SEN](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/inclusion-sen) - [PTFA](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/parents/ptfa) - [Safeguarding](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/safeguarding/the-safeguarding-welfare-team) - [Term Dates](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/key-information/term-dates) #### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bridge.patrixbourne.school) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bridge.patrixbourne.school/) © Copyright 2025–2026 Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://bridge.kent.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)