Exeter school pupils raise diabetes awareness as Matford Brook Academy marks World Diabetes Day

Two Year 7 pupils at Matford Brook Academy in Exeter took centre stage this week to help their school mark World Diabetes Day, sharing vital information about the condition with classmates and staff.

Iris and Emily delivered a confident and informative presentation to hundreds of pupils, explaining how diabetes affects people’s lives, the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and the daily routines involved in managing the condition.

Their assembly comes against a national backdrop that shows diabetes is a significant health issue for young people. 

An estimated around 35,000 children and young people under the age of 19 are living with diabetes in the UK, according to Diabetes UK data – the majority of whom have type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition that usually develops in childhood.

Data from NHS Digital shows that approximately 4.4 million people were recorded as having diabetes in 2024, with type 2 accounting for around 90 per cent of cases. 

Although diabetes in children is less common, type 1 diabetes remains one of the most frequent chronic conditions in childhood, requiring daily management and lifelong care.

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World Diabetes Day, held each year on 14 November, takes place on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered therapeutic insulin in 1922 alongside Charles Best. 

The international awareness day aims to promote education about diabetes prevention, detection and management and to support people living with the condition.

At the assembly, Iris and Emily explained how people with diabetes monitor blood glucose levels, adjust insulin doses, and balance food intake with physical activity. 

They also encouraged classmates to think about how they can support friends with the condition.

Headteacher Emily Simpson-Horne said the pupils’ presentation had a powerful impact.

“We’re so proud of Iris and Emily for standing up and sharing what they’ve learned about diabetes,” she said. 

“Their assembly gave everyone at the school a chance to understand the condition better and think about how it affects people’s lives.”

She added that the assembly had prompted follow-on conversations in classrooms and among teaching staff about how diabetes is managed and why awareness and empathy matter in school and the wider community.

Moira Marder, Chief Executive of the Ted Wragg Trust, which includes Matford Brook Academy, said the event exemplified how young people can lead on important issues.

“It’s wonderful to see pupils taking the lead on spreading awareness about important issues like diabetes,” she said. 

“Moments like this show the difference young people can make when they speak up and share their knowledge. Well done to Iris and Emily.”

In the UK as a whole, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes has been rising steadily. 

Local parents welcomed the pupils’ initiative. Sophie Green, whose daughter is in Year 8, said:

“It was inspiring to see pupils of Year 7 talking about something so important. It makes a real difference when young people take time to educate their peers.”

Matford Brook Academy has previously run awareness activities around health issues, but staff say this year’s World Diabetes Day event stood out for the pupils’ leadership.

The school plans to build on the assembly with follow-up workshops and learning activities to deepen pupils’ understanding of long-term health conditions and how to support classmates who live with them.