Secondary teaching resources

Our free teaching resources help young people aged 11 to 19 to examine the world around them from a humanitarian perspective and learn about topics related to the work of the Red Cross.

These curriculum-linked activities, session plans and teaching packages are ideal for subjects such as PSHE, Citizenship, Geography, History and informal learning time. Learners gain new perspectives, develop new life skills and develop understanding, values and critical thinking.


In the news (Newsthink)

A man walks over the rubble of a bombed building.

Sounds of conflict

Age: 11–19

Type: Lesson plan, Newsthink

Subjects: PSHE, Tutor time

Activities to discuss airstrikes in Yemen and consider who and what is protected under international humanitarian law.

  • Conflict
  • Newsthink

In the news (Newsthink)

Lava covers the road.

Volcano in Hawaii

Age: 11–19

Type: Lesson plan, Newsthink

Subjects: PSHE, Tutor time

Secondary PSHE activities considering how to prepare for a natural disaster and living with the reality that this could happen.

  • Disasters and emergencies
  • Newsthink

In the news (Newsthink)

Woman performs first aid on unresponsive man

An increase in knife crime

Age: 11-19

Type: Lesson plan, Newsthink

Subjects: PSHE, Tutor time

Look at different aspects of knife crime, including ways to avoid conflict and first aid for a heavy bleed.

  • First aid and the bystander effect
  • Newsthink

In the news (Newsthink)

Syrian medical staff learn how to treat people in a chemical weapons attack.

Chemical weapons

Age: 11–19

Type: Lesson plan, Newsthink

Subjects: PSHE, Tutor time

Secondary PSHE activities on chemical weapons and international humanitarian law.

  • Conflict
  • Newsthink
Helicopter landing

Alfa bravo charlie

Age: 7-19

Type: Quick activity

Subjects: PSHE

Teaching ideas which help learners explore the phonetic alphabet, as used by the International Civil Aviation Authority.

  • Disasters and emergencies
Children standing in the aftermath of an earthquake

Natural disasters: earthquakes

Age: 11-19

Type: Teaching package, images, videos, case studies

Subjects: Geography

Explore how individuals and communities prepare for and respond to life-changing natural disasters and learn how the Red Cross helps communities recover and build resilience.

  • Disasters and emergencies
Humanitarian aid distribution in Homs, Syria.

Humanitarianism in action

Age: 14-19

Type: Lesson plan, video

Subjects: Citizenship

A lesson plan about the principle of humanitarianism that guides the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

  • Humanitarianism and the Red Cross
People in Haiti use a handmade ladder after a bridge has been destroyed by Hurricane Matthew.

Hurricane Matthew in Haiti – one year on

Age: 11-19

Type: Lesson plan, photos

Subjects: Geography, PSHE

Explore the impact of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti one year on, and the importance of building resilience.

  • Disasters and emergencies

In the news (Newsthink)

Someone dials 999 into phone

Bystander or lifesaver?

Age: 14-19

Type: Lesson plan

Subjects: PSHE

Discuss a real-life example of people not helping someone in a first aid emergency.

  • First aid and the bystander effect
  • Newsthink
Group of adults unload humanitarian aid from trucks

Disasters Emergency Committee

Age: 11-19

Type: Teacher briefing, quick activity

Subjects: Citizenship, PSHE

Learn about what the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is and how it helps in times of crisis.

  • Disasters and emergencies