Allergy safety in schools: key figures
The key statistics behind Benedict's Law and the DfE allergy safety guidance, each with its official source.
| Figure | What it means for schools |
|---|---|
| About 1 in 5 children and young people with allergy have their first allergic reaction in their school, college or early years setting | Staff need to recognise a reaction in any pupil, not only those on the list |
| Up to 20% of anaphylaxis reactions in schools happen in children with no previously known allergy | One reason the guidance expects spare adrenaline devices and training for all staff |
| 1 in 5 anaphylaxis deaths among school-aged children in the UK happen in school | Why allergy safety is now a policy duty for schools |
| 19 child deaths from anaphylaxis and 54 from asthma between April 2019 and March 2023 (National Child Mortality Database) | The guidance also recommends keeping spare asthma reliever inhalers alongside spare adrenaline devices |
| 5 minutes: the guidance says adrenaline devices must be able to be brought to a person having anaphylaxis within five minutes | Plan where spare devices are kept, building by building |
| 14 allergens must be declared on food in the UK | Kitchens and caterers need allergen information for every dish |
All figures except the 14 allergens are quoted in the DfE statutory guidance "Allergy safety in schools" (July 2026), which cites its own sources. Please quote the original source when you reuse them.
Questions schools ask
How many children have their first allergic reaction at school?
According to the DfE guidance, around one in five children and young people with allergy have their first allergic reaction while at school, college or an early years setting.
How many anaphylaxis reactions in school happen in children with no known allergy?
Up to 20%, according to the DfE guidance.
Read next
Official sources
Allergy Ledger helps your school record and follow its own allergy procedures. It does not give medical advice and does not replace staff training, the pupil's Allergy Action Plan or Individual Healthcare Plan, or the advice of a healthcare professional. In an emergency always follow the pupil's plan and call 999. Information on this page is general information, not legal advice.