A REDNAL school has received the St John Ambulance Schools Mark award for its dedication to first aid and its commitment to looking after the health and safety of others
Children at St James’ Catholic Primary School, on Leach Heath Lane, notched up top marks after 30 year five pupils, aged nine and ten, took part in the St John Ambulance Student First Aid Programme in October.
The school has now joined 32 others across the West Midlands which hold the title.
Youngsters learnt basic first aid skills including how to deal with someone who was choking, putting a person in the recovery position, resuscitation and severe bleeding.
Later this month the school will be running a safety week to train all 210 pupils in basic life-saving skills through St John Ambulance’s Teach the Difference website.
Headteacher Angela Backen said staff and pupils were delighted as they knew how highly it was regarded.
“We are pleased to have been able to find a way to ensure all the children, no matter how young, will know what to do in an emergency, even if it is just how to get help.
“We take first aid training very seriously and believe first aid is an important life skill which teaches young people what they need to know in a medical emergency as well team work and communication.”
Nick Pitt, the West Midlands’ St John Ambulance regional schools training co-ordinator, said it was fantastic St James’ Primary had demonstrated such
commitment to health and safety and first aid in the school environment.
He added: “As well as building the confidence to respond to an emergency, first aid training teaches pupils to care for others, equipping them with the skills to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”
Visit www.teachthedifference.org.uk for more.
