School staff back first aid training for pupils

School staff have expressed their support for supplying pupils with first aid training, according to a new survey.

St John Ambulance polled those in teaching jobs and found that all respondents believed that this should be provided in schools.

The school staff surveyed acknowledged that as well as being an important life skill, knowledge about first aid can also help promote teamwork and boost confidence among pupils.

This followed a similar poll conducted by the Red Cross recently, which found strong support for first aid being taught to their students from 84 per cent of secondary teachers.

Elaine Howlings, who is in charge of schools training at St John Ambulance, commented: "We're encouraged that teachers are calling for more people to learn first aid in schools. We know that first aid saves lives and you are never too young to learn."

The charity also polled more than 1,500 primary and secondary schoolchildren across the country.

Of these, 70 per cent said they would not know how to help someone in a first aid situation, although the majority said that they believed that it is important to have this training.


Published On 17/03/2009