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Hearty efforts to help pupils be lifesavers
YOUNGSTERS from an Aberdare primary school will be taught to cope with a life-threatening medical emergency thanks to a joint initiative by the Welsh Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation.
Staff from Caradog School, Aberdare, have been trained in first aid and resuscitation techniques and the school has recently been equipped with training dummies.
It is all part of a project being funded by the BHF with training provided in first aid and resuscitation by the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Mike Cowley is heading the scheme for the Welsh Ambulance Service.
He has trained the staff at Caradog School and has trained more than 800 teachers from 249 schools over the past two years, so that they can pass on life-saving skills.
He says: "The most recent figures show that over 6,000 pupils aged from five to 18 have been trained across Wales but by now it could be many more. "This means they now know what steps they should take if someone suffers a heart attack in front of them.
"Obviously we don't teach five-year-olds how to do CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) but we teach them how to call for help and older children can certainly learn life-saving techniques.
"I've been a paramedic for 18 years and the best thing when an ambulance arrives at the scene is to find someone carrying out CPR on the patient and the earlier we can train people, the better. "
Caradog School headteacher Peter Buxton said: "It has been very positive and the staff enjoyed the training and got a lot out of it.
"We have the training dummies now, so we will be ready to start training the pupils when they return from the summer holidays in September. "
Any schools interested in joining the scheme can contact Mike Cowley on 07921-584115.
School hits gold standard in geography competition
PUPILS in Hirwaun really do have the world at their feet after becoming the only school in Wales to secure a prestigious Geography Gold award.
Hirwaun Primary School is one of just four in Britain to secure the top status as a result of its impressive learning ethos for pupils of all ages.
Learning in the outdoor environment, a field trip to Normandy and integrated learning from reception class to Year Six were just some of the achievements that impressed judges.
The school appointed teacher Sarah Whitehouse as the subject curriculum lead, enabling teachers, parents and pupils to work together to deliver an all-encompassing approach to learning.
Determined to make geography part of life rather than a standalone topic in a lesson, Sarah and other staff worked to bring in other themes, such as language and IT.
Much hard work also went into delivering lessons for all ages, teaching children just how large the world is and the part they play in it, via outdoor learning, field trips, making DVDs and exhibitions, role plays and more.
Headteacher Andrew Manley explained: "Often it is the case the judges visit and award a bronze or silver standard and provide support and guidance to staff on how to attain the next level.
"However, their inspection of Hirwaun Primary left them so impressed, we were awarded gold standard immediately, which is a huge credit to the hard work that has gone in from staff, parents and pupils.
"We are delighted to be the only school in Wales to secure such a standard and we look forward to continuing to work in innovative ways to provide the best possible educational standards."
The school officially received its Gold Award during a celebration assembly attended by Mike Keating, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's director of education.
Coun Eudine Hanagan said: "Congratulations to Hirwaun Primary for this incredible achievement.
"To be the only school in Wales to secure the standard at any level is a credit to their hard work."
Hearty efforts to help pupils be lifesavers
YOUNGSTERS from an Aberdare primary school will be taught to cope with a life-threatening medical emergency thanks to a joint initiative by the Welsh Ambulance Service and the British Heart Foundation.
Staff from Caradog School, Aberdare, have been trained in first aid and resuscitation techniques and the school has recently been equipped with training dummies.
It is all part of a project being funded by the BHF with training provided in first aid and resuscitation by the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Mike Cowley is heading the scheme for the Welsh Ambulance Service.
He has trained the staff at Caradog School and has trained more than 800 teachers from 249 schools over the past two years, so that they can pass on life-saving skills.
He says: "The most recent figures show that over 6,000 pupils aged from five to 18 have been trained across Wales but by now it could be many more. "This means they now know what steps they should take if someone suffers a heart attack in front of them.
"Obviously we don't teach five-year-olds how to do CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) but we teach them how to call for help and older children can certainly learn life-saving techniques.
"I've been a paramedic for 18 years and the best thing when an ambulance arrives at the scene is to find someone carrying out CPR on the patient and the earlier we can train people, the better. "
Caradog School headteacher Peter Buxton said: "It has been very positive and the staff enjoyed the training and got a lot out of it.
"We have the training dummies now, so we will be ready to start training the pupils when they return from the summer holidays in September. "
Any schools interested in joining the scheme can contact Mike Cowley on 07921-584115.
School hits gold standard in geography competition
PUPILS in Hirwaun really do have the world at their feet after becoming the only school in Wales to secure a prestigious Geography Gold award.
Hirwaun Primary School is one of just four in Britain to secure the top status as a result of its impressive learning ethos for pupils of all ages.
Learning in the outdoor environment, a field trip to Normandy and integrated learning from reception class to Year Six were just some of the achievements that impressed judges.
The school appointed teacher Sarah Whitehouse as the subject curriculum lead, enabling teachers, parents and pupils to work together to deliver an all-encompassing approach to learning.
Determined to make geography part of life rather than a standalone topic in a lesson, Sarah and other staff worked to bring in other themes, such as language and IT.
Much hard work also went into delivering lessons for all ages, teaching children just how large the world is and the part they play in it, via outdoor learning, field trips, making DVDs and exhibitions, role plays and more.
Headteacher Andrew Manley explained: "Often it is the case the judges visit and award a bronze or silver standard and provide support and guidance to staff on how to attain the next level.
"However, their inspection of Hirwaun Primary left them so impressed, we were awarded gold standard immediately, which is a huge credit to the hard work that has gone in from staff, parents and pupils.
"We are delighted to be the only school in Wales to secure such a standard and we look forward to continuing to work in innovative ways to provide the best possible educational standards."
The school officially received its Gold Award during a celebration assembly attended by Mike Keating, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's director of education.
Coun Eudine Hanagan said: "Congratulations to Hirwaun Primary for this incredible achievement.
"To be the only school in Wales to secure the standard at any level is a credit to their hard work."
