Safety or Singling Out? Managing a Coeliac in School.

So, Alex has started big school. She loves it, is making friends and enjoys learning. I am re-learning English using the phonics method and am quite shocked at how difficult a language it actually is. 'Because it just is' has sadly become my stock response to 'why is it pronounced that way mummy?'. 

On a gluten front things have been interesting to say the least. School is trying hard, but I suspect managing a child with Coeliac's, particularly in relation to school dinners, has been a steep learning curve for them. 

First off, on the first day, the usual chef was unfortunately off (not planned) so I had to rush home and pull together a packed lunch when the substitute chef was uncertain that she could pull off a GF meal. ('We could do salad but can't really guarantee anything else'- not quite the hot meal I had envisaged.)

When she was back I met with the school chef, who was very kind and accommodating. She had not catered for a Coeliac child before (there was apparently another child with Coeliac's in the school, but they were sticking to sandwiches until they saw how things panned out- sensible!) however, she had a relative with the condition, so had some understanding. She asked me to bring in some staples which I could get on prescription, which took me off the fence re the use of prescription food (see previous post). Having agreed what adjustments the chef could make, she told me we would also have to meet with a representative from the council (who subsidise school meals) who would go through everything we had discussed again. (Great use of time for a working mum, I love duplicate meetings). In any case, I was really encouraged by the school's response and the fact they were willing to cater for my child. And then the chef told me about the sash. I didn't really think about the implications of the sash until later when I was reflecting on the meeting and the positiveness of the school. 
'All of our allergy children have different colour sashes depending on what they need to avoid' -they what?-' yep, orange will be for coeliacs, purple for nuts, a different colour for dairy etc etc'.
On the surface, this makes sense- everyone who's serving the children food knows that they have to double check what they can/ can't have. In terms of social inclusion/ not singling children out/ highlighting difference- not so good! 

Does it work? Well, we're nearly at the end of term 1 and have had 2 gluten accidents so far. School aren't sure that they were they cause- there were stomach bugs going around. Given the time lines, symptoms and recovery rate, I'm pretty sure school had a (significant) role to play.( I also find it highly unlikely that all of their fish fingers are gluten free, as we were told, given the variation in price between GF and bog standard fish fingers, but if they say so! )

How and ever, it's always a learning curve when it comes to feeding a Coeliac, so I'm prepared to accept a few transgressions while they're learning the ropes (although poor Alexandra has paid the price). In the actual class room, the teachers have been very good at checking ingredients with me for food based activities, only giving appropriate treats and ensuring other children don't 'share' food. Hopefully things will continue to improve.

And with regards the sash- Alex thinks it's wonderful and makes her feel special, so who am I to argue for integration and social inclusion at this point- long may her pride in her difference continue!

Post Script: My husband read this post and wants me to point out the he stepped in and attended the meeting with the person from the council- he's very supportive!!

Starting school- as easy as ABC?

I guess for any parent your child starting school is going to be emotional. The disbelief that they have grown up so quickly, the worry about whether they'll make friends, the concern that they'll enjoy it and fit in (and secretly hoping they won't be thick as two planks and will keep up with the school work!). With Alexandra due to start school in September, I've had the added worry about how school is going to manage with her gluten-free diet.

When Alex was in a day nursery, we had quite a few accidents until we had the processes in place to protect her (see more here). We certainly got there in the end, but it took a while.

For the past year, Alex has been going to a pre-school for three hours a day. She wasn't eating meals there, and luckily, we had no gluten accidents. There were lots of examples of really good, inclusive practice when Alex was at pre-school, but also a few things that happened that made my heart sink.

For organised activities, the pre-school was fantastic. Alexandra's teacher was lovely and asked me where she could get gluten-free porridge when they were doing Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Asda do sachets if you need some for your little bear!) She also found a G-F recipe for the ginger bread men they made and double checked it with me. There were lots things like this where they were spot on.

Some of the less good issues were just a result of thoughtlessness or lack of understanding, for example the teaching assistants offering Alex chocolates on the way out of school on birthdays. At Christmas, they were making sandwiches for the kids and asked us to bring in some G-F bread so they could do some for Alex- a quick 101 in avoiding cross-contamination was required. My worst heart sink moment was at the summer party (when I came straight from work so had no spare treats in my bag). There was biscuit decorating (noooo), squash and biscuits (noooooo), and some ice pops, which would probably have been ok except the box had been thrown out so I couldn't check ingredients (nooooooo)! That said, Alex's teacher was very keen to learn about Coeliac's and I think will be a lot more confident if she has any kids with the condition in her class in the future.

Alexandra's new 'big school' is not connected to the preschool, so is another unknown. At the parent introduction evening we approached one of the teachers to ask whether it would be possible for the school to cater for Alex's condition. (Kids are in school until 3.30 in the UK, so have the option of having a hot school meal instead of bringing in a packed lunch). The teacher requested a letter from our GP to confirm that Alex had the condition, and agreed to meet to discuss how to manage it. When we went in for Alex's visit, she had obviously discussed the condition with the cooks, who told her they had catered for kids with Coeliac's before and it should be fine. She asked for any written info about what Alex could and couldn't eat so I directed her to the Coeliac UK website (they have a section for caterers on it http://www.coeliac.org.uk/food-industry/caterers-and-restaurateurs/caterers-and-restaurateurs-faqs). We also agreed that it would be useful for me to bring in a 'treat box' of things that Alex can have if other children bring in birthday cake or anything like that. In September we will be writing up a care plan highlighting any special measures that the school will put in place to manage the condition and this will be reviewed and updated if there are any issues. Watch this space.....!

When Alex was initially diagnosed, the consultant told us that the move to school, when she would be out of our sight more and wanting to assert her independence, was a time to be ultra-vigilant. At the time it seemed like forever away, and now it's looming. Overall, I'm feeling hopeful about the diet- now just need to worry about how to convince Alex that pink shoes aren't appropriate for a navy uniform and that writing looks better going across the page instead of down the side!

Jen

PS: this is the ginger bread recipe that the school used. I can't comment on taste as it was gone by the time I picked her up- probably a good sign!

340g plain G-F flour
4oz softened butter/ marg
100g soft brown sugar
190g golden syrup
2 teasp ground ginger
1 teasp bicarbonate of soda

• preheat over to 190 degrees C.
• Beat the sugar and marg together until light and creamy.
• Add the golden syrup and sift in flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda.
• Mix until a rough crumb begins to form and then work the mixture into a smooth dough using your hands.
• Refrigerate dough for 10 mins or so until firm.
• Roll out dough between 2 sheets of cling film or baking parchment until 4mm thick.
• Cut out shapes using cookie cutter or roll out small balls and flatten slightly onto a non-stick baking sheet or tray lined with baking parchment.
• Bake for 8-10 mins until golden brown. Let cool on tray for a minute or two then transfer to wire rack.

Oops I did it again. (or s##t I've given her gluten!)

Excuse number 1:  We'd just come in from a bank holiday day out. Everyone was hot, tired and tetchy.

Before

Excuse number 2: Someone hadn't put the plates away properly. I usually have different plates for the 2 girls but couldn't find any of Katya's plates so put the food out on two of Alexandra's plates.

Excuse number 3: The breads look the same when you're distracted. (err, well, they're both on the browny/ cream spectrum and they both have 4 sides.... not too dissimilar.....)

Excuse number 4: They were clamouring for food, they wanted it now. I had to be quick or someone might have keeled over from hunger!

Reality: There is no excuse. I was careless and didn't pay enough attention and my darling Alexandra paid the price. I feel so horrible if Alex eats gluten by mistake, multiply that by a hundred when it's actually my fault. (I can't think of any other time when I've been directly to blame for a gluten accident and I don't want to feel like this again!)

After

The result: After sitting down to a tea of ham and cheese sandwiches Alexandra said 'Mummy, I think you've given me the wrong bread'. 'Of course I haven't', I reassured her, then gave a double take and found Katya tucking in to Alex's gluten-free snack. Alex had eaten exactly 1/6th of a slice of Hovis Best of Both. She screeched in fright and then realised that she felt ok, so insisted on having a gluten-free sandwich as planned. Fast forward 4 hours, 2 sets of bed clothes, 3 changes of pyjamas,1 exhausted 4 year old and 1 very guilty Mummy.

I highlight mistakes I come across elsewhere and can't keep my own house in order. I guess you can never become complacent or take your eye off the ball- lesson (re)learnt!