Benedict’s Law, or the School Allergy Safety Bill, is legislation that makes schools safe for the 680,000 pupils in England with an allergy.

The campaign asks for every school to have:

• Spare allergy pens
• Allergy trained staff
• School allergy policy

This is important because research carried out in 2024 found 70% schools didn’t have these measures in place – and there is no current requirement for schools to provide these, even for pupils at high risk.

The law is named in memory of five-year-old Benedict Blythe who died from anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, in school in December 2021. His is not an isolated case though, in 2017 alone three children died from an allergic reaction in school. Coroners sited lack of in-date adrenaline devices, inadequate training of staff, and process confusion as being causes for delay resulting in these deaths. Despite this, the government has taken no steps to remedy these gaps. Eight years on, 70% schools don’t have them all in place.

A Family’s Commitment

Through every stage—from public campaigning to private grief—Benedict’s family has shown extraordinary strength and resolve. Their lived experience fuels a movement that has changed the national conversation on allergies in schools. The campaign reached a milestone with the introduction of the School Allergy Safety Bill, known as Benedict’s Law, in Parliament – presented by Chris Bloor MP.

As the inquest into Benedict’s death begins, his family continues to advocate for the safety of every child. Their hope is simple: no family should face what they have endured.