insideKENT Magazine Issue 39 - June 2015 | Page 154

EDUCATION

Kent schools urged not to
miss out on the biggest first
aid lesson ever

Military School drill
competition displays
precision and style

The nation's leading first aid charity is calling upon
schools to register for its upcoming life saving event
as research shows demand for such lessons in the
classroom.

Pupils of the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in
Dover showed off their marching skills at their annual
inter-house drill competition.

Schools in the South East
are leading the way
nationally, with over 230 in
the region having signed
up to St John Ambulance's
Big First Aid Lesson.
The event is a free, onehour online first aid session
hosted by television
presenter Claudia
Winkleman, and will be
streamed into classrooms
on Friday 12th June.
Drill Competition

The charity is helping to address public opinion in the South East that first
aid lessons should be a national curriculum requirement, according to
research it recently carried out. Furthermore, its research also found that
nearly 55% of children in the South East have no life saving knowledge at
all, leaving them without the skills to deal with basic emergencies such as
identifying if someone is breathing or how to help someone who is choking.

The school is popular with service families but also appeals to parents in
the UK who are not involved in the armed services but value the school’s
traditions and military ethos.
Captain Calvin Smith, a pupil at the school from 1999 to 2006, returned
to judge the competition, accompanied by colleagues Company Sergeant
Major Payne and Colour Sergeant Scott of 2 Para based in Colchester.

Schools that have signed up in Kent include Wateringbury C of E Primary
School, Maidstone; and St Martin’s School, Dover.

Marks were awarded in five
categories: Inspection,
Turnings, Quick Time, Slow
Time and March Past. The
entire school took part in a
parade at the end of the day,
led by the school's military
band.

Chasey Crawford-Usher, headteacher at Wateringbury C of E Primary
School, said: "Understanding basic first aid and gaining the confidence to
remain calm during a medical emergency should not be beyond the reach
of any child. I'm delighted that St John Ambulance is promoting a Big First
Aid Lesson and that our junior children will be participating fully."
With only weeks to go, schools in the South East are being encouraged to
tune into the lesson so that every young person has the access to learn
essential first aid skills. So far, the Big First Aid Lesson will be reaching over
130,000 schoolchildren nationally from 1,000 schools, but there is still time
for more classrooms to join.
The lesson will combine first aid training and 999 scenarios with real life
stories, as well as plenty of opportunities for pupils to join the conversation
via Google Hangouts. It is aimed at students between seven and 16 years.
The only equipment schools will need is an Internet conne ction and a screen
(such as an interactive whiteboard) for their pupils to watch in the classroom
or during assembly.
Claudia Winkleman, a TV presenter and mother of three, said: “The Big
First Aid Lesson is a fantastic and engaging way of teaching students the
skills they may need to help keep a classmate or a family member safe in
an emergency while they’re out on the playground or enjoying their summer
holidays. All schools should make teaching young people basic first aid a
top priority.”

Chloe Butler and Andy Barr

The final prize-giving and
reviewing officer was Colonel
Andy Barr OBE MA Deputy
Commander 11th Infantry
Brigade, who presented the
drill competition shield to Junior
Under Officer Joanne Hardway
of winners Marlborough House.

Chloe Butler received the Baroness Thatcher Sword of Honour for being
judged best Junior Under Officer of the year, commended for her work
commanding the Guard and teaching the younger students drill.
Chris Russell, the school’s executive principal, said: “Each House was very
well turned out and performed excellent drill for the judges. We were
delighted to welcome back one of our alumni, Captain Calvin Smith, to lead
the judging and Colonel Barr to present the prizes.”
This year’s event had special resonance for the Royal Engineers, as the
parade was commanded by Senior Under Officer Shanade Marsden, whose
father currently serves in the Royal Engineers. Chloe Butler’s father is also
in the Royal Engineers, and the reviewing officer, Colonel Andrew Barr, also
served in the Corps.
For more information, visit www.doyrms.com.

For more information about the Big First Aid Lesson or to register, go
to www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson.

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