Asthma Friendly Schools

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease that affects around 1 in 11 children and young people (CYP) in the UK. Having asthma has implications for a child’s schooling and learning. Children and young people with asthma are more likely to be absent from school than those with no health conditions. In turn, evidence shows that pupils with higher absence rates have lower attainments rates.

The Asthma Friendly Schools programme has been in launched in Kent and Medway to raise awareness of good asthma care and ensure CYP are safe while they are at school.

To join the Asthma Friendly Schools scheme, a school will need to have the following in place:

• An asthma register, of all CYP with asthma in the school
• An asthma policy
• A named individual responsible for asthma in the school
• A school salbutamol inhaler for use in emergencies when a child with asthma cannot access their own inhaler
• Staff training on asthma
• A management plan for each child with asthma (or a school wide emergency asthma plan)

Once Asthma Friendly status has been achieved, the school will be able to use the Asthma Friendly Schools logo to promote their status within the community.

To sign up or find out more, visit saferasthma.co.uk or email kmicb.asthmafriendlyschools@nhs.net