High Speed Training, a leading provider of online training and e-learning, has reached the milestone of providing over 20,000 free Allergy & Anaphylaxis courses to schools and education organisations across the UK.
Designed to equip education professionals with the vital knowledge needed to identify and safely manage allergens, the online course was developed in tandem with leading industry experts and shares vital knowledge on how to identify common allergens and the signs of an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.
The course also covers emergency situations, including how to administer an adrenaline auto-injector, and empowers staff to implement correct allergy procedures. Learners will also understand the impacts that allergies can have on pupils, covering allergy bullying and the effects allergies can have on mental health.
Valence Primary School, based in Barking and Dagenham, are among the over 350 schools that have received the free training.
Cindy Barker, Deputy Headteacher at Valance Primary, said: “In today’s environment, where food allergies are highly prevalent, and reactions can be life-threatening, the importance of this training cannot be overstated.
“The training helped educate staff about the growing prevalence of allergies and the potential severity of allergic reactions, and gave staff the knowledge and confidence to act quickly and effectively in the event of an allergic reaction
“The training had an immediate and positive impact on our school. By integrating this training and these changes into our daily operations, Valence Primary School is fostering a safer, more inclusive learning environment, where all children can thrive, regardless of medical conditions.”
A report created by The Benedict Blythe Foundation found that 1-2 children in every average-sized classroom will have a food allergy, and that almost 1 in 5 (18%) of allergic reactions to food happen in schools.
The free course was created with Natalie Hopkins, Allergy Trainer & Founder of The Allergy Badge. A parent to a child with life-threatening allergies herself, Natalie is a dedicated allergy and anaphylaxis trainer and is accredited in anaphylaxis by the Royal College of Nursing.
Expert advice was also provided by Dr José Costa MD FRCPCH, a Paediatric Allergy Consultant with over 16 years of experience. Dr Costa holds a postgraduate certificate in Paediatric Allergy from Imperial College London and is a fellow of the Royal College Of Paediatrics and Child Health and a member of the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, said: “Reaching the milestone of delivering over 20,000 free Allergy & Anaphylaxis courses is a testament to the urgent need for this training in schools. There are too many heartbreaking stories of individuals who have been seriously affected or lost their lives due to allergic reactions, many of which occur in educational environments. Correct training and knowledge is crucial to minimise these risks.
“High Speed Training have created an expert-led course that will equip school staff with the knowledge and confidence to create safe and prosperous environments for all of the children and young people at their establishments, and empower those with allergies to get the most that they can out of their education.
“Teachers and educators are on the frontline when it comes to managing student health, and we know how challenging this can be, from both a workload and a budgetary perspective. By offering this course free of charge, we want to ensure that as many people as possible have access to this vital knowledge.”
The course, which is assured by City & Guilds and accredited by CPD, can be taken for free by all UK education staff, and can be found by visiting High Speed Training’s Allergy & Anaphylaxis for Schools course
Alongside the free Allergy course, High Speed Training have created a free Safeguarding INSET pack, including advice on how to identify and report potential abuse and tips to create an effective safeguarding culture. The free pack, which has been shortlisted for a Teach Award and is fully customisable to suit all schools and age groups, can be downloaded by visiting www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/inset-pack.
