Cystic fibrosis for teachers
Need help supporting a student with CF in your class? Creating a lesson plan on CF and want to find out more about the condition? You've come to the right place!
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What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the UK's most common life-threatening inherited diseases. The internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, become clogged with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food.
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defective gene, so you can't catch it.
More than 11,000 people in the UK have cystic fibrosis. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
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How do I support a student who has CF?
Primary school
Our starting pre-school and primary school resources include a template individual healthcare plan for young children.
Secondary school
We have created some resources to help you find out more about what CF means for young people at secondary school.
Download our template individual healthcare plan, My CF Planner, for secondary school students.
Take a look at our Me and CF factcards to find out what it can be like to be a young person with CF in school.
Download the Me and CF factcards
For further information or support, please contact our Helpline.
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Where can I find out more information about genetics?
We have lots of information on the genetic causes of CF here.
We've also created a handy video that explains the genetic mutations that cause CF.
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I'm teaching a lesson about CF and have a student with CF in my class
We know that CF is often discussed in schools when teaching about genetics and genetic conditions. If you have a young person with CF in your class, this lesson could be difficult for them. We've created a factsheet for teachers full of important information that can help you with teaching a lesson on CF.
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I want to know something else about CF
You can find lots of information about CF in our FAQs.
Resources for teachers
Primary school
KS3 Science
Interactive body
People with CF often look healthy, but it’s a life-limiting condition that affects those living with it in a number of ways. We’ve created an interactive body where you can find out all about the different ways that CF affects men and women. With sections on the lungs, digestive system, bones and reproductive system, this fantastic resource can be a great way for your students to get to grips with all the different ways CF affects the body.
Videos
The IVs and the Pseudomonas
Working with Cystic Fibrosis Trust, 11-year-old Pippa Miles used her love of sci-fi to write a story to help overcome her fear of needles. The IVs and the Pseudomonas is a great resource for young children with cystic fibrosis.

Fundraising at school
Getting your school involved in fundraising can be great fun. Whether you're bouncing, baking or taking part in a sponsored event, we'll be here to support you every step of the way.
Factsheet for teachers
We've put together important information about CF that can help you to teach about the condition accurately and sensitively if you have a child with CF in your class.
Me and CF factsheet
If you have a student with CF in your class you may want to download our Me and CF factsheet, which has useful information on what it's like to be a young person with CF in school.
My friend has CF
Find out more about the condition and how young people can support their friends or people in their class who might have it.
Page last reviewed: October 2024
Next review due: October 2025