Introduction to asthma in schools
This toolkit contains everything you need to help you plan a whole school approach to asthma as well as how to respond when a child or young person (CYP) experiences an asthma attack.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease which inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. Asthma is the most common long term medical condition in children and affects 1 in 11. It is the most common reason for urgent hospital admissions for children.
Symptoms include cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
The most common triggers for an asthma attack are colds and viruses, smoking, pollution, pollen, mould, pets, and hormonal changes.
A CYP with asthma may face the following challenges in education:
- Days off school due to illness or hospital/GP appointments
- Missed learning
- Poor concentration due to lack of sleep caused by asthma exacerbations
- Anxiety and depression
- Feeling different from peers
- Limitations in taking part in physical school activities
Will asthma be an issue in every school?
Yes 1 in 11 children have asthma and approximately 130,000 children in the East of England which equates to roughly 3 children per classroom.
Why is it important to be aware of asthma?
The UK has one of the worst asthma death rates in Europe, but asthma deaths are preventable. Paediatric admissions to treat asthma or wheeze cost £30.1 million and causes children to miss days at school.
What does the research say?
- A child's right to clear air (Global action plan)
Resources
Help! I've got a CYP with asthma, what can I do?
To access a link to a padlet with step by step guidance and resources to help schools support an individual CYP who has asthma, click on the button:
Individual or group approach page
We would like to take a whole-school approach to supporting young carers.
To access an audit tool, action plan and whole school approach guide, click on the button:
Use the audit tool to identify areas of good practice and identify areas for improvement.
The action plan, along with the whole school approach guide, will provide you with guidance and resources for every area to ensure you achieve a measurable impact.
If you need any bespoke support and guidance, we are happy to help and can be contacted at inclusionandsend@norfolk.gov.uk or on 01603 307736.