Leading Kent school becomes a 'no-spray school' after member of staff hospitalised

A leading school in has become a "no-spray school" after a member of staff had to go to hospital after breathing in aerosol sprays. Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School sent a letter to parents informing them of the new rule, which means toiletries such as perfume and deodorant are banned. The school in Southfield Road in St John's, , which is colloquially referred to as "Twigs" due to its abbreviation TWGGS, informed parents late last week.

Headteacher Katie Marchant told "We are becoming a no-spray school as we have staff and pupils who have respiratory disorders. "We had a member of staff have a severe reaction recently and she required an ambulance and hospitalisation, as per the letter. One of her triggers is aerosols and having looked at other local schools, including Weald of Kent who are also a 'no-spray' school, we have made the decision that we would make this change.



" She added: "Pupils are welcome to apply products before they come to school and we allow roll on/stick deodorants and perfumes but they are no longer able to spray themselves in school." In a letter, the headteacher told parents at the school, which has an Ofsted rating of "outstanding",: "We have several pupils and a member of staff with severe respiratory disorders which can result in life-threatening reactions to aerosol sprays, perfumes and deodorants. We have tried to talk to the pupils about this on many occasions, asking them not to spray in form rooms, corridors and public areas but they are persisting and this is having an adverse effect.

"For those with acute sensitivities, these products pose a serious health hazard. We are therefore adopting a zero tolerance on the use of sprays in school." In December 2022, The School reminded parents and students of its ban of aerosols, and underlined the reason for the rule.

Headteacher Nick Smith wrote in a letter at the time of the dangers, as they can inflame a person's airways. He said: "The use of aerosol deodorant sprays has caused several very serious incidents in school in the last few weeks and this has been particularly unpleasant and somewhat frightening for all those concerned. As you are no doubt aware, aerosol sprays can trigger a range of respiratory conditions including asthma attacks.

"When aerosol gases are breathed in, they trigger inflammation of the airways of the lungs which can cause very serious and sometimes life-threatening symptoms.".