Yes. Schools have a duty of care and cannot provide appropriate support if they do not know about a significant medical condition. Disclosing your child’s diagnosis means the school can put the right emergency procedures in place, ensure relevant staff are aware, and make any reasonable adjustments needed.
In practical terms, this means agreeing an individual health care plan (IHCP) with the school — a document that sets out your child’s condition, any medication, signs that something is wrong, what to do in an emergency, and who to contact. Schools are experienced in managing these plans and are legally required to support children with medical needs.
You should also confirm that at least one member of staff on site at any time knows about your child’s condition and is aware of the emergency plan. In secondary schools especially, where your child may not always be with the same teacher, it is worth thinking carefully about who holds that information.
What you share with other pupils and parents is your choice, and your child’s preference should guide that decision where possible. However, making sure the adults responsible for your child are fully informed is not optional — it could be life-saving.