Year seven students at Blanchelande College were among more than 410,000 children across the UK who took part in an online first aid lesson delivered by Claudia Winkleman.

The Big First Aid Lesson was live streamed into classrooms across the UK on Friday 12 June as part of a national campaign run by St John Ambulance to teach children life-saving first aid skills.

The free, one-hour long session explained how to help someone suffering from conditions such as an asthma attack, head injury or allergic reaction. It also covered summer-related conditions to help equip children ahead of the school holidays.

St John Ambulance created the Big First Aid Lesson to help teachers overcome barriers to providing training to young people, such as lack of time, staff training issues and cost.

After the video, pupils had the opportunity to ask Katie Sweeney from St John Training Services any questions about first aid and how to respond in an emergency.

“In the space of just one hour, students learnt first aid skills which could stay with them for a lifetime. Children of all ages can be the difference between a life saved and a life lost which is why it’s so important that we teach them these vital skills early on. I’m pleased that the children found the session so helpful and hope that they have the confidence to help should an emergency occur,” said Katie Sweeney.

This event supports the tremendous work of our dedicated schools first aid trainers, Katie Sweeney and Suzanne Torode, who teach years 3, 5 and 6 students across the Bailiwick’s primary schools thanks to ongoing support from Specsavers.

Thanks to this support, St John Training Services has taught first aid to around 2,000 students in the last year alone, and a total of around 12,000 students since the programme began in 2008.

For more information about the scheme or to watch a recording online visit sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson.