George back in school after allergy dispute

Published on 1st November 2007 in News

George Hall-Lambert from Eastrington has been allowed to return to school this week, eight weeks after he was told he was unable to attend because of his severe nut allergy.

George was told he would not be able to continue going to Howden School in September, after the school was informed he had a nut allergy and was also allergic to latex. His nut allergy is so severe that if he comes into skin contact with nuts, this could prove fatal.

Howden School claimed at the time that they did not receive George's medical file from Eastrington School when he moved up to year seven.

His mum, Judith, said: "George had quite a good first day. It was a bit strange to him at first because he has been off since September 10. But all his friends have been absolutely fantastic. I am so relieved he has mixed back in with everyone."

Howden School have now put precautions into place to cater for George, and 54 staff are now trained in what to do in an emergency, as well as 11 teaching assistants and nine admin staff.

They have also changed all the latex gloves in the first aid boxes to non-latex ones, they will not use latex in science lessons that George is involved in, and he can go for his dinner five minutes earlier, with a friend, to ensure he does not come into any contact with nut ingredients whilst other children are eating.

George also has a health-care plan put into place to ensure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

The family's solicitor, Hayley Garnett, of Heptonstalls, said: "I am delighted to have been able to assist George and his family and to ensure his swift return to Howden school. Howden school and the local authority have now put appropriate measures in place to safeguard the well-being of George whilst he is a pupil at the school. It is just disappointing that these measures could not have been dealt with prior to George's attendance in September in order to avoid him having to miss so much of his schooling.

"I know George is thrilled to return to school and see his friends again."

Judith said: "There are still a lot of questions as to why this has been allowed to go on for so long. He has missed a lot of work.

"Our solicitor Hayley has managed to get him back to school within ten days of working on the case. We will continue to work with her and the barrister to investigate further."

Andrew Williams, head of Howden School, said: "I am pleased that George's parents have agreed that George can return to school on a full-time basis after issues concerning his medical condition were resolved. George started back at school on Tuesday."