Schools & early years

School classroomOn average, there are two children with asthma in every classroom in the UK. Asthma UK can provide information and support to effectively manage asthma at school. 

Teaching materials and resources

Most Asthma UK materials are free and can be ordered from our website or over the phone by calling 0800 121 62 55. Education professionals may be especially interested in:

  • School asthma card, for details of your child's asthma and medicines. School and Pre-School Asthma cards

A convenient resource designed to help primary and secondary schools keep a central register of all students with asthma. Available to all staff.

Click here to order School Asthma cards

Click here to order Pre-School Asthma cards

  • Asthma Attack cardAsthma Attack Cards

A credit-card-sized resource that a pupil can keep on them and a teacher can keep in the classroom. It contains information about what to do if someone is having an asthma attack. The card is recommended for everyone with asthma. To find out more and order a card, click here.

  • Exercise at school - Out There and Active

Exercise is good for everyone. Order free factsheets and posters to learn more about how children with asthma can exercise safely in our 'Out There and Active' Campaign. Click here for more information.

  • Asthma educate - schools & early years imageFor Primary Schools – Asthma Educate

Asthma Educate is a free online teaching resource for 7- to 11-year-olds. It includes lesson plans, activities and assembly guides to help make learning about asthma as easy and as fun as possible. Visit the Asthma Educate microsite

  • Medical Conditions awareness sessions (England Only)

Medical Conditions Awareness sessions is a tool for school healthcare professional such as school nurses to use with school staff to raise awareness and understanding of long term medical conditions including asthma. It includes slides and presenter notes and can be downloaded for free from the Medical Conditions at School website

  • Planet Asthma - Art & Activity book coverFor Primary Schools - Planet Asthma

Planet Asthma is an art activity book containing creative activities for your classroom which are designed to raise understanding of asthma. The book can be ordered free from Asthma UK by calling 0800 121 62 55.

Download an asthma policy for your school

Asthma UK schools pack.

Asthma UK have developed asthma policy packs for schools. The packs contain guidance to help develop and maintain a school asthma policy that is customised to the individual school's needs.

Click here for more information and to download a pack.

Asthma UK can visit your school

School classroom

Asthma UK can provide you with speakers for your school through our Alert to Asthma work and our Speak Up For Asthma volunteers.

Alert to Asthma

Alert to Asthma is a successful awareness programme delivered to all teaching staff. It aims to reduce the risks to children with asthma by raising awareness in staff at schools and nurseries to spot and deal with asthma attacks and to ensure children with asthma live a full and active life. The sessions are usually delivered by asthma trained nurses.

The Alert to Asthma awareness sessions all have the same objective but differ slightly across in the UK. To find out more about one in your area, click on the relevant link below.

SUFA – Speak Up For Asthma volunteers

Speak Up For Asthma (SUFA) is a network of trained volunteer speakers who raise awareness of asthma and the work of Asthma UK. They can visit your school to talk about asthma and its effects through workshops delivered to teachers or students. There is no charge for a speaker. However, you can support Asthma UK by making a donation or organising a fundraising activity.

If you would like to book a SUFA, click here.

 

Pre-school guidelines

Female preschool carer playing with a young girl.

The guidelines tell you more about how children with asthma can control their condition, help you understand how to build a child's confidence, and help create a safe environment for children with asthma where they can reach their full educational potential.

They aim to promote a working partnership between all concerned, resulting in the development and successful implementation of an asthma policy.

Click on the links below to download the guidelines.

Kick Asthma mini-marathon

Kick Asthma mini-marathon [1]

We are challenging your school or group to cover the distance of a marathon - a whole 26.2 miles - in any way you choose. This can be done in a single day or over a period of time.

Asthma UK’s Kick Asthma mini-marathon is a new school fundraising challenge to encourage pupils to get fit and active while raising money for the 1.1 million children in the UK with asthma.

Special education needs

The article below in the Special Education Needs Magazine offers some advice on effective asthma management in the classroom.

Asthma feature in Special Education Needs Magazine (446 kb) [pdf]