LOCAL MP Michelle Donelan has voiced her support for British Red Cross’s call for emergency first aid training to be included in the national school curriculum.
The ‘Every Child a Lifesaver’ campaign is set to be discussed at Parliament this Friday 20th November, when the Emergency First Aid Education Bill will call on MPs to introduce first aid training to all state-funded secondary schools.
Melksham’s local MP Michelle Donelan, confirmed that she won’t be in Parliament that day, but supports the campaign.
Michelle Donelan told Melksham News, “There is nothing more important than keeping children and staff safe in our schools. I agree that this needs to be looked at, and I think more life skills will help create well- rounded individuals prepared for the world who are able to make informed and safe decisions. I understand the arguments against this but I think that emergency first aid is so important that the Government should consider including it in the curriculum.”
The Every Child a Lifesaver campaign is being led by British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross and St John Ambulance. The campaign claims that 95% of parents agree that first aid should be taught in secondary schools, but only 24% of schools offer the training.
Stephen Clark, headteacher of Melksham Oak Community School said, “I think this a good idea and it is taught as part of our Duke of Edinburgh scheme, however finding time to teach first aid to all of our students within our already packed school curriculum would be challenging.”
To find out more about the campaign, visit www.everychildalifesaver.org.uk