Brent schools urged to take up free training

Schools in Brent have access to free training to achieve asthma-friendly status, equipping their staff with the skills and knowledge to recognise if a pupil is having an asthma attack, what to do to manage the emergency, and how to correctly administer medication. 

So far the scheme has supported 11 schools in Brent to achieve asthma-friendly status and the team within the council and local NHS are working with around 25 other schools to provide the training in the coming year. Training takes an hour and can be delivered during school hours or after school, in person or virtual – dependent on the preference of individual schools.

Cllr Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Community Health and Wellbeing, said, “Lots of children in the borough suffer from asthma and so it is a real comfort to parents to know that staff understand the condition and how to deal with issues should they arise.  

“This scheme not only trains up teachers and other school staff, but also provides free equipment available from local pharmacies to ensure they have everything they need to keep children safe. I would encourage all schools to apply for the training.”

Training is provided by the school nurses from Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) and by an Asthma Nurse Specialist, and once a school has completed training, they can obtain a free asthma starter kit.

St Roberts Southwell Catholic Primary School, based in Kingsbury, recently achieved asthma-friendly school status, meaning 85% of its staff have completed the formal training.

Caroline Mcevoy, the school’s Welfare Officer, explained, “The Brent School Nursing team reached out and encouraged us to sign up for training before attending the school to review our routines and to show staff how to use different inhalers and spacers.

“The Brent School Nursing team really knew their stuff. I feel more confident in knowing what children with asthma require, more confident in administering support and more confident to advise parents.”

James, 10, a student at the school, and his mum, Cathy Keville, live in Kingsbury. “It’s so reassuring,” Cathey remarked on the news that the school had achieved asthma-friendly status. “I know James is safe and he feels comfortable telling teachers how he is feeling. If he needs his pump, the School Nurse or Welfare Officer know what to do and will inform me straight away.”

Schools interested in achieving asthma friendly status can contact their CLCH school nurse for more information and to arrange training by emailing clcht.brentsnspaduty@nhs.net