During 2018, the Government held consultations on the best approach to changes in a number of areas of PSHE education, including health and mental wellbeing.
For many years there had been a campaign to make First Aid compulsory for children.
The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 have amended the Education Act (1996 & 2002) to bring these changes into law.
The guidance issued by the Government has said that by the time a child leaves primary school education they should know how to make a clear and efficient call to emergency services if necessary, and how to understand the concepts of basic First Aid, for example dealing with common injuries, including head injuries.
The Government guidance also says that by the time a child leaves secondary school education they should know basic treatment for common injuries and life-saving skills, including how to administer CPR.
Which First Aid skills should schools be teaching their pupils?
The three main skills that schools must teach to their pupils are Head Injuries, Unconsciousness, and an introduction to CPR. Resus Rangers First Aid Workshops cover all of these, plus other essential First Aid skills, in a child-centred approach making First Aid accessible for all ages. You can learn more about the content of our First Aid Workshops for Primary School Children here: Workshops | Resus Rangers | First Aid for Primary School Children
Can First Aid be taught to children in the Preschool age group effectively?
Although we have been delivering First Aid in schools for a length of time now and it has been well received, we have been asked on many occasions whether First Aid can be taught to children in the Preschool age group effectively?
Resus Rangers specifically targets young children as we truly believe First Aid skills should be taught at a grassroots level. The approach we take to this is to ensure the content of our Workshops is delivered through a range of learning methods suitable for Children in the Early Years, such as through role play and storytelling.
All children that attend our first aid sessions will be taken on a journey by the Resus Rangers team to look at some basic First Aid and how to call 999. The activities in our First Aid sessions for Primary School children have been created to reinforce their understanding of the world. You can find out more about the Resus Rangers programme here: The Programme | Resus Rangers | First Aid for Primary School Children