Statement of Intent: This policy is concerned with a whole school approach to the health care and management of
those members of the school community suffering from specific allergies, mainly nut and peanut allergies.

St Nicholas College Middle School Rabat are aware that students who attend may suffer from food, or nut allergies
and we believe that such allergies should be taken seriously and dealt with in a professional and appropriate way.

St Nicholas College Middle School Rabat’s position is not to guarantee a completely allergen free environment, but
rather: to minimise the risk of exposure, encourage self-responsibility, and plan for effective response to possible
emergencies.

Parents are asked to provide details of allergies in the student’s Enrolment Form, which is submitted before starting
school.

Aim: The intent of this policy is to minimize the risk of any student suffering severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
whilst at school.

The underlying principles of this policy include:
• The establishment of effective risk management practices aimed to minimise the student, staff, parent and visitor
exposure to known trigger foods.
• Voluntary Staff training and education to ensure effective emergency response to any allergic reaction situation.

This policy applies to all members of the school community:
• School Staff
• Students
• Supply staff
• Parents / Guardians
• Volunteers
• Visitors

Definitions:
Allergy – A condition in which the body has an exaggerated response to a substance (e.g. food and drug) also known
as hypersensitivity.
Allergen – A normally harmless substance that triggers an allergic reaction in the immune system of a susceptible
person.
Anaphylaxis – or anaphylactic shock, is a sudden, severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to food,
stings, bites, or medicines.
Epipen – Brand name for auto injector device, similar to a syringe, containing the drug Adrenalin, which is ready for
immediate inter-muscular administration.

Procedures and Responsibilities for Allergy Management
General
• The involvement of parents and staff in establishing individual Health Care Plans.
• The establishment and maintenance of practices for effectively communicating a student’s healthcare plans to all
relevant staff.
• Staff training awareness and/or management in anaphylaxis, including awareness of triggers and first aid procedures
to be followed in the event of an emergency.
• Age appropriate education of the student with severe food allergies.
Medical Information
• The school will seek updated information via medical form at the commencement of each calendar year.

Furthermore, any change in a student’s medical condition or medical treatment during the year must be reported
to the school immediately.
• For students with an allergic condition, the school requires parents / guardians to provide written advice from a
doctor (GP), which explains the condition, defines the allergy triggers and any required medication.
• The Head of School together with the Health & Safety Teacher and First Aider on premises will ensure that a Health
Care Plan is established and updated for each child with a known allergy.
• The Health Care Plan should be made available to members of Staff.
• Teachers and teacher assistants of those students and staff are required to review and familiarise themselves with
the medical information.
• In the case of school outings, parents should be consulted as to the potential of an allergy or anaphylaxis attack.
Medical Information (Epipen Auto Injector)

Where Epipen Auto Injectors (Adrenalin) are required in the Health Care Plan:
• Parents/ guardians are responsible for the provision and timely replacement of the Epipen Auto Injectors.
• The Epipen Auto Injectors are located securely in a specific location approved by the Head of School and First Aider.
Staff’s role
• Staff are responsible for familiarising themselves with the policy and to adhere to health & safety regulations
regarding food and drink.
• If a student’s Enrolment Form states that they have an allergy then a Health Care Plan is needed. It must be in
place before the student starts attending lessons. A risk assessment should be carried out and any actions
identified to be put in place.
• Upon determining that a student attending school has a severe allergy, a team meeting will be set up as soon as
possible where all staff concerned attend to update knowledge and awareness of student’s needs.
• All persons who come into contact with the child on school premises will be made aware of procedure to be
followed in a case of emergency. All staff are to promote hand washing before and after eating.
• All food consumed on school premises is to be as nut free as possible. This includes food brought from home by
the students, birthday cakes, food sold in school Tuck Shop, food brought onto the premises by members of staff
and all food related activities.

Actions: In the event of a student suffering an allergic reaction the correct procedure shall be followed (See last page
in this document)

Parent’s role
Parents are responsible for providing, in writing, on-going accurate and current medical information to the school.
Parents are to send a letter confirming and detailing the nature of the allergy; including: The allergen (the substance
the child is allergic to), the nature of the allergic reaction (from rash, breathing problems to anaphylactic shock) and
what to do in case of allergic reaction, including any medication to be used and how it is to be used.

Role of other parents
• Snacks and lunches brought to the school by other students should be peanut and nut free.
• The school will ensure that parents are regularly reminded.

Disclaimer. The school is and will be doing its utmost to minimize the chances of anaphylaxis and other life threatening
allergic reactions. The students and staff working within the school are regularly reminded to avoid bringing specific
food items that are known to be harmful to our students. In spite of all the effort done by the school, this institution
cannot guarantee allergen free food brought by the students and cannot be held responsible if such situations occur.

Nut Allergy
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
1. Call FIRST AIDER (Epipen) + Call 112 immediately
2. Call PARENTS. If they live close by they come to school. If not they go directly to Hospital.
3. Someone to accompany child if need be.