As the end of term approaches and that Christmas music gets louder, many of you start preparing pupils and families for a well-earned break.
Panto season aside, we know children with ongoing medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, allergies, or other long-term health needs; these festive holidays, especially, can bring extra challenges.
Changes in routine, travel plans, different caregivers, stressful periods such as revision and extra 'at-home' learning, and winter illnesses all make good preparation essential.
Here’s how schools can help families feel confident and supported as they head into the holiday period, with a particular focus on asthma school plans and diabetes care at school.
The final weeks of term are a perfect time to check that each child’s IHP is:
➡️ Up-to-date.
➡️ Reflects current medication.
➡️ Includes clear emergency actions.
➡️ Matches the latest advice from healthcare professionals.
Where possible, send a quick reminder to parents to confirm that any changes in medication, symptoms, or triggers have been communicated to school staff.
Cold air, viruses, and physical activity are common triggers of asthma during winter. To support pupils before they leave for the break:
A simple handout explaining typical winter triggers and when to seek help can be incredibly reassuring for parents.
Holidays often mean disrupted routines, different meal patterns, festive treats, and varying activity levels. These can all affect pupils with Type 1 diabetes.
Your pre-holiday support can include:
✅ Sending home a fresh summary of the child’s diabetes care plan.
✅ Encouraging families to review blood glucose monitoring routines.
✅ Reminding parents to check insulin supplies before pharmacies close for the season.
✅ Advising them to share key information with relatives or caregivers hosting the child.
If a pupil is newly diagnosed, a quick check-in with parents before the break can go a long way in helping them feel confident.
One of the simplest yet most important prep tasks is ensuring medications return to school in good condition.
Encourage families to:
👍 Replace any expired or nearly-empty medication.
👍 Clean and repack asthma spacers and inhalers.
👍 Check blood glucose meters and pumps are functioning correctly.
👍 Return allergy kits or EpiPens in clearly labelled bags.
Parents and carers often appreciate reassurance before a long break. You can:
➡️ Send a short “holiday health checklist” via your school newsletter.
➡️ Share NHS links on asthma, diabetes, allergies, and winter health.
➡️ Remind families of when urgent care should be sought.
➡️ Offer a contact email for any non-urgent medical questions before the break.
All of this helps build a strong partnership between home and school.
1. A printable parent checklist! A simple, printable snappy list covering asthma, diabetes, allergies, and general medication reminders (perfect for newsletters or parent communications). Download.
2. Winter asthma triggers (pupil-friendly). A bright, easy-to-understand poster outlining common asthma triggers during winter and simple ways to stay safe. P.S. The content will be more helpful to students in the early phases. Download.