Damian Hinds: Learning life-saving skills in school is crucial

Damian Hinds MP, Secretary of State for Education, has underlined the importance of every child having the chance to learn life-saving skills such as CPR and how to get help in a medical emergency, under plans for health education to be taught in every school.

 

To ensure the next generation knows what to do in an emergency, the government is planning to make health education compulsory in all state-funded schools. Under the proposed new guidance, by the end of secondary school pupils will be taught how to administer CPR, the purpose of defibrillators, and basic treatments for common injuries.

 

The proposals are part of the Department for Education’s plans to strengthen teaching of health, sex and relationships education – building on free resources already available for schools to teach first aid including those provided by the Every Child a Lifesaver Coalition, made up of the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross.

 

Read more via Department for Education

HfL Early Years Blog: Coughs and sneezes spread diseases

So, it goes without saying that correct and proper hygiene practices are very important when running a Nursery or pre-school.

 

Unlike at home, a nursery or pre-school can be very susceptible to infections or illnesses. Proper hygiene control affects everyone at a nursery, Parents, Staff and the Children.

Promoting good hygiene also helps to educate children on hygiene practises.

 

Below are 5 simple ways to help stop the spread of infection in your Nursery or Pre-school:

1. Hand Washing

2. Identify germ-harbouring "hot spots," and clean them every day

3. Cleaning

4. Responding to infection outbreaks

5. Changing Children’s Bedding

 

Read the full blog, written by our Early Years team, to find out more about each of the above ways to stop the spread of infection via Herts for Learning

St Albans pupil’s design wins national competition

A St Albans pupil’s design was chosen out of hundreds of entries as the winner of a national competition.

 

Orla Connelly, 11, from Loreto College, was asked to find an innovative solution to a major world problem as part of the AECOM Imagineers competition.

 

In response, she designed a pipeline to transport water from wet to dry countries in an attempt to combat water shortage.

 

Associate director of transportation at AECOM’s St Albans office, Karen Britton, said: “We are encouraging children to develop a passion for subjects in science, technology, engineering and math at an early stage and making the prospect of working for a company like AECOM one that is within reach, regardless of their backgrounds.”

 

Read more via Herts Advertiser