First aid for teachers is not optional. Every education provider must ensure trained first aiders are on site at all times. Whether you run a nursery in Ipswich, a primary school in Norwich, or a forest school in Cambridgeshire, the safety of the children in your care depends on having the right first aid for teachers training in place. We have put this guide together to help teachers and school leaders understand exactly what they need.
New Law for Schools — Benedict’s Law September 2026
From September 2026, schools in England must comply with new mandatory statutory guidance on allergy safety — known as Benedict’s Law. This has significant implications for first aid for teachers and school leaders across England. This follows the tragic death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who lost his life at school in 2021 after an anaphylactic reaction. As a result of four years of campaigning by his family and the National Allergy Strategy Group, the Government has made allergy safety a legal requirement for the first time.
From September 2026, every school in England must:
- Stock spare adrenaline auto-injectors (EpiPens) on site for use in emergencies — for the first time this becomes a legal requirement rather than optional guidance
- Provide allergy awareness training for all staff — covering recognition of anaphylaxis symptoms, emergency response and the correct use of adrenaline auto-injectors
- Have a dedicated standalone allergy policy — separate from the general medical conditions policy, displayed on the school website
- Maintain Individual Healthcare Plans for every pupil with a known allergy, updated in partnership with families and healthcare professionals
- Record and review every allergic incident — including near misses — to continually improve procedures
In other words, allergy safety is no longer a matter of good practice — it is a legal obligation. Schools that are not yet compliant should act now ahead of the September 2026 deadline.
Can School Staff Legally Administer an EpiPen?
This is one of the most common concerns we hear from school staff. The answer is yes — and the law is clear on this. Under Regulation 238 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, any staff member can administer adrenaline in an emergency to save a life, even without formal medical training. This life-saving exemption ensures that nobody is denied emergency treatment in a situation that could not have been anticipated.
In addition, the law confirms that:
- Schools can legally purchase spare adrenaline auto-injectors without a prescription for use in emergencies
- Spare AAIs were originally intended for use in pupils with a known allergy who have medical authorisation and written parental consent
- Updated clarification confirms schools may also use a spare AAI in exceptional emergencies where a child or adult has a severe allergic reaction without a prior diagnosis or known allergy
How Many AAIs Should Pupils Have?
Children with a known allergy should always have two AAIs with them during the school day — including on trips and outdoor activities. This protects against device malfunction or the need for a second dose.
Where Should AAIs Be Stored?
AAIs must be stored in a location that is clearly marked and accessible within five minutes. They must never be locked away. Furthermore, all staff should know exactly where the devices are kept to ensure there is no delay in treatment during an emergency. Specifically:
- Younger pupils should have a dedicated emergency kit held by staff — not locked away
- Older pupils are encouraged to carry their own AAIs with school oversight
- Spare school AAIs must be stored in a central, accessible location reachable within five minutes
How Does a School Purchase Spare AAIs?
All schools — including maintained schools, academies, independents and maintained nurseries — can legally purchase spare devices. To buy, schools must:
- Submit a request on headed paper to a pharmacy
- Choose devices based on the brand most commonly used by their pupils — usually EpiPen® or Jext®
- Budget approximately £80 per device
The Anaphylaxis UK guidance for schools on spare AAIs includes a free template letter that schools can download and send directly to their pharmacy.
If in Doubt — Give Adrenaline
The key message from both Anaphylaxis UK and the MHRA is simple: if in doubt, give adrenaline. No harm will come from administering adrenaline when it is not needed. However, delaying in a genuine anaphylactic emergency can be fatal. Having clear policies, properly trained staff and easy access to adrenaline can make the difference between life and death.
For a full legal overview of what Benedict’s Law means in practice, the C&C Solicitors guide to Benedict’s Law provides a clear summary of the new requirements.
Is E-Learning Enough for Anaphylaxis Training?
No. The Department of Health guidance is clear — online resources and e-learning modules are not a substitute for face-to-face anaphylaxis training. Schools must arrange specialist, practical face-to-face training for staff. Furthermore, research published in peer-reviewed journals confirms that face-to-face training produces a more effective emergency response than online training alone.
This training must include practical, hands-on instruction in how to use the different AAI devices available — not just theoretical knowledge. As a result, schools should be cautious about relying solely on online training platforms to meet their Benedict’s Law obligations from September 2026.
Who Should Deliver Anaphylaxis Training in Schools?
The Resuscitation Council UK recommends that anaphylaxis training is delivered by clinically qualified professionals. Their preferred trainers include doctors, nurses, resuscitation officers and registered paramedics. Given that anaphylaxis is a time-critical, life-threatening emergency, the quality and clinical accuracy of the training matters enormously.
There is a significant difference between a trainer who has personally managed anaphylaxis in real emergency situations and one who has not. A registered paramedic brings direct clinical experience — they have recognised anaphylaxis, administered adrenaline under pressure and understand exactly how quickly a reaction can deteriorate. That real-world knowledge cannot be replicated by a trainer working solely from a manual.
All Training 999 anaphylaxis training is delivered by registered paramedics. Our trainers meet the Resuscitation Council UK’s recommended standard for anaphylaxis training delivery, giving your school the highest possible level of confidence that your staff are learning from someone with genuine clinical expertise.
Book our face-to-face anaphylaxis training for your school today — we cover Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
Which First Aid Course Do Teachers Need for Schools?
For education settings inspected by Ofsted, staff require one of the following paediatric first aid qualifications:
- Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) — 1 Day (6 Hours) — the minimum requirement for most education settings
- Blended Paediatric First Aid Course — 2 Days (12 Hours) — the full qualification required for designated paediatric first aiders
As a result, schools must ensure at least one member of staff holds the full two-day qualification at all times during the school day.
First Aid for Teachers — Course Options Explained
Training 999 offers several ways for schools to meet both their HSE and Ofsted first aid requirements. The right option depends on your staff availability and the size of your team.
Option 1 — Combined Adult and Child First Aid (Recommended)
Our combined courses cover both requirements in a single programme, saving time and cost:
- Adult and Child First Aid — 1 Day — covers both FAW and paediatric first aid essentials in a single day
- Adult and Child First Aid — 3 Day (Full Qualification) — the comprehensive qualification covering full FAW and full paediatric first aid, meeting both HSE and Ofsted requirements
Option 2 — Separate Courses
Many schools still choose to run their paediatric first aid and workplace first aid courses separately. In fact, this is often the better option where staff availability is limited or where not enough staff need both qualifications at the same time. In that case, the following courses can be booked independently:
- Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) — 1 Day — meeting Ofsted paediatric first aid requirements
- Blended Paediatric First Aid — 2 Days — the full paediatric qualification for designated first aiders
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) — 1 Day — meeting HSE workplace first aid requirements for school staff
Not sure which option suits your school? Contact Training 999 and we will help you find the most practical solution for your team.
School First Aid for the Outdoors — Forest School Teachers
Staff working in forest school settings should choose their course based on a thorough risk assessment. However, owing to the additional risks of working in nature, we strongly recommend the Forestry First Aid + F module for all forest school staff. This add-on covers subjects not found on a standard school first aid course, including
- Snake bites
- Catastrophic blood loss
- Lyme disease and tick bites
- Outdoor environmental hazards
For more information, the Forestry England first aid policy outlines the specific requirements for those working in outdoor and woodland environments.
How Many First Aiders Does a School Need for Teachers and Staff?
The HSE first aid needs assessment guidance requires all employers — including schools — to assess their first aid needs based on the size of the workforce, the risks involved and the hours of operation. In practice, most schools need:
- At least one designated paediatric first aider on site at all times during the school day
- Additional trained staff to cover absences, trips and after-school activities
- A separate first aider covering HSE workplace requirements for staff
- From September 2026 — all staff trained in anaphylaxis awareness and EpiPen use under Benedict’s Law
Keep Your First Aid for Teachers Skills Up to Date
First aid knowledge and skills fade over time. In fact, the HSE strongly recommends that all first aiders complete annual refresher training throughout their certificate’s validity period. As a result, schools should build this into their annual CPD calendar to ensure compliance at all times.
Once a certificate expires, staff must complete a full new course rather than a refresher. Therefore, keeping on top of renewal dates is essential.
Onsite First Aid Training for Schools Across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire
Training 999 delivers all first aid for teachers courses directly at your school across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Consequently, there is no need for staff to travel to a training centre. We bring all equipment — including CPR manikins, AED training units and anaphylaxis training devices — directly to your premises.
Moreover, all our courses are delivered by clinically qualified instructors — including registered paramedics and nurses — with real-world experience of working with children in emergency situations.
All qualifications are Ofqual-regulated (RQF), ensuring they are legally recognised and fully compliant with both HSE and Ofsted requirements.
We deliver the following courses directly to schools across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire:
- Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) — 1 Day
- Blended Paediatric First Aid — 2 Days
- Adult and Child First Aid — 1 Day
- Adult and Child First Aid — 3 Day (Full Qualification)
- Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) — 1 Day
- Annual First Aid Refresher — Half Day
- Forestry First Aid Course — ideal for forest schools
- Anaphylaxis and EpiPen Training — Half Day — required for all schools from September 2026 under Benedict’s Law
To find out more or to book, contact the Training 999 team today.