Pupils in BSW to benefit from Asthma Friendly Schools initiative

Pupils attending schools in BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire are to benefit from a new asthma programme offering support for physical health and increased education attainment through improved attendance.

The Asthma Friendly Schools programme seeks to help pupils by reducing asthma-related school absences, promoting good asthma management for children and young people and increasing awareness of asthma among staff. 

Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children and young people in the UK, incorrectly perceived as a mild illness. The UK has one of the highest admission rates and mortality from asthma, with an average of three children per class with asthma.

The programme has been developed by Dr Sebastian Gray, Paediatric Consultant and Children and Young Person Asthma Lead, with support from Hannah Savigar-Jones, Children and Young People’s Senior Programme Manager, at BSW ICB.

Hannah Savigar-Jones, Children and Young People’s Senior Programme Manager from BSW ICB said: 

“Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children in the UK, with around one in 11 children and young people affected.  Children living with the condition, and their families and carers, need to feel protected at school and able to participate just like any other child, in all elements of school life.

“Our new Asthma friendly schools programme is designed to address these issues and we are encouraging all schools in BSW to become asthma friendly by improving asthma awareness and management. This will help to reduce absences for pupils with asthma and create an inclusive environment for all those with the condition.“

Schools join the programme through a simple, self-assessment process and are supported to achieve this new award by their Healthy Schools leads in local authorities in BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “This will be an important new programme which builds on the work we are already doing with our healthy schools initiative. I am pleased that a Wiltshire School, Nursteed Community Primary School, is leading the way as the first to achieve the award and I look forward to many more being part of this.”