Since September 2026, every school in England has to give all its staff allergy awareness training, every year. That’s the core of Benedict’s Law. We deliver that training for schools across Milton Keynes and the surrounding counties, either as a two-hour session at your school (ideal for an INSET day) or as an online course your staff can do in their own time.
See our prices for on-site group training. No VAT, and travel included within 60 miles.
Benedict’s Law is named after Benedict Blythe, who died aged five after an allergic reaction at school in 2021. It means schools now have to follow the Department for Education’s statutory guidance, Allergy safety in schools. The training isn’t just for first aiders. It covers everyone in the building.
What Benedict’s Law means for your school
In short, schools in England (maintained schools, academies and independent schools) are expected to have:
- Annual allergy awareness training for all staff, including teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, office staff, caretakers and minibus drivers
- A standalone allergy policy, published on the school website
- Spare adrenaline auto-injectors on site, in date and quick to reach
- Up-to-date individual healthcare plans for pupils with serious allergies
- A way of recording and reviewing allergic reactions and near misses
Our training covers the first of these, and helps your staff understand the rest. For the full detail, the DfE guidance is the place to check.
What the training covers
- What an allergy is, and the common triggers in a school day
- Recognising the signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), including the less obvious ones
- What to do in an emergency: following the pupil’s action plan, using an adrenaline auto-injector without delay, and calling 999
- Practising with trainer auto-injectors and the newer EURneffy adrenaline nasal spray, so staff know how both devices actually work in their hands
- Reducing the risks: food in class, school trips, lunchtimes and visitors
- Where your spare auto-injectors are kept and who checks them
In person or online: which is right for your school?
We offer both, with the same content, so you can choose what works.
In person at your school. A session of about two hours, delivered on site to your whole staff team, which fits neatly into an INSET or staff training day. Everyone gets hands-on practice with trainer auto-injectors and the EURneffy nasal spray, and staff can ask questions about the pupils and situations they actually deal with. It’s also the easiest way to get everyone trained at once and keep a single record of it.
Online. About two hours, done at a time that suits each member of staff. It works well for new starters, part-time staff and anyone who missed the training day. You can find our online courses on the Online Courses page.
Many schools use both: a session on the INSET day for the whole team, and the online course for anyone who joins during the year.
Not just schools
The statutory guidance applies to schools in England, but the same risks exist anywhere children and young people eat, play and learn. We also deliver allergy awareness training for nurseries, day care centres, colleges and universities, and it’s a sensible step for any setting that wants to be ready if a reaction happens.
Who delivers the training
Training is delivered by Stewart Hansen, founder and principal instructor at Vital Signs First. Stewart has six years of front-line military experience, was originally trained by St John Ambulance, and has been the on-site first aider wherever he has worked. He now runs accredited first aid training for schools, workplaces and childcare settings across Milton Keynes and the surrounding counties.
Frequently asked questions
Does every member of staff need Benedict’s Law training?
Yes. The requirement covers all staff, not just teachers or first aiders. That includes support staff such as lunchtime supervisors, office staff, caretakers and minibus drivers.
How often does the training need to be done?
Every year. Allergy awareness training needs to be refreshed annually, so it’s worth booking next year’s session at the same time.
Is online training enough?
Online training can be part of it, but staff also need to practice with a trainer auto-injector. Anaphylaxis UK’s summary of the guidance makes this point. An in-person session covers the hands-on practice for everyone at once.
Is this the same as paediatric first aid?
No. Paediatric first aid is a longer course for your designated first aiders and covers far more than allergies. Allergy awareness training is shorter and is for the whole staff team. Most schools need both. See our paediatric first aid course.
Can you train us on an INSET day?
Yes. The in-person session is about two hours, so it fits easily into a morning or afternoon. Let us know your INSET dates as early as you can.
Does Benedict’s Law apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
No. The statutory guidance applies to schools in England. Settings elsewhere may still choose the training as good practice.
Book Benedict’s Law training for your school
An in-person session at your school starts from £350 for a group of up to 12 staff, with hands-on practice for everyone. Certificates are included, there’s no VAT to add, and travel is included within 60 miles of Milton Keynes. To book, just get in touch. You can also see all our prices for on-site training. Tell us how many staff you have and when your next INSET day is, and we’ll come back to you with a date and a quote. You can also read more in our posts on what schools need to have in place and choosing online or in-person training.
This page is a general guide to Benedict’s Law. Always check the Department for Education’s current statutory guidance for the full requirements.