When first aid was first included in the new curriculum for English and Welsh secondary schools in September 2008, it followed months of tireless campaigning by the British Red Cross. We published a policy report, met with ministers and organised a postcard campaign that attracted the support of thousands. This was followed up by a significant contribution to the public consultation on the curriculum.
The Children, Schools and Families Bill - currently being debated in the Houses of Parliament - will hopefully make it law for schools to teach first aid as part of the national curriculum. Find out how you can help bring about this important change.
Watch this short video to see how William Brookes School already uses first aid lessons create a happy, safe, healthy school. This Gold Healthy School uses our Life. Live it. teaching resource to teach all Year 8s basic first aid. The head of PSHE and citizenship explains why it’s been far more successful than she could have ever envisaged, and how the benefits of first aid lessons reach far beyond the subject.
Read the transcript
How first aid fits with the curriculum
The following PDF documents and links outline how first aid education fits with national secondary curricula requirements throughout the UK.
England Key Stage 3
Curriculum links by Life. Live it. topic - KS3
England Key Stage 4
Curriculum links by Life. Live it. topic - KS4
More information on the curriculum in England
Wales Key Stage 3 PSE
Wales Key Stage 4 PSE
More information on the curriculum in Wales
Scotland - first aid within Curriculum for Excellence
More information on the curriculum in Scotland
Nothern Ireland - curriculum links by Life. Live it. topic
More information on the curriculum in Northern Ireland