Health: We’ll teach teachers to save lives, says St John

The courses have been specially developed to fit in with teachers ‘inset’ days – five days each year during term time which must be set aside for staff training. The first aid training can take place at the school or at a St John Ambulance training centre in the region.

Sue Skoyles, regional training manager for St John Ambulance in the East, said: ‘It’s really important that teachers have the first aid skills to know what to do in an emergency situation. They could be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

“The standard four hour course includes dealing with asthma, control of bleeding, severe allergic reaction, choking and fractures. Other modules are available including dealing with eye injuries, seizures, fainting and resuscitation. We can build bespoke first aid training around the needs of individual schools, providing reassurance for parents and pupils.”

Health & safety legislation places duties on the employer for the health and safety of its employees and anyone else on the premises.

Schools are no exception to this rule and their local authority, governing body, or charitable trust is responsible for ensuring they comply.

Sue added: ‘Many organisations in the region choose to use St John Ambulance for training because we are a charity and all our profits, after we’ve covered our costs, are ploughed back into supporting local communities with first aid training, first aid cover at public events and other important activities.’

For more information or to book an inset training course contact 0844 324 5535 or visit www.sja.org.uk