Press Release

First aid in Welsh curriculum

12 October 2007

From September 2008, students in schools right across Wales will be learning life-saving skills, as part of their new school curriculum.

The Welsh Assembly Government has recently confirmed the inclusion of first aid education in the curriculum following months of campaigning by the Red Cross. A campaign called Life.Live it. which launched last September urged members of the public to lobby their MPs asking them to support our proposals.
This resulted in the recent publication of the English school curriculum in July, which now includes first aid education and also mentions Red Cross resources for the first time. International humanitarian law also became a part of the revised curriculum, thanks to consultations by the Red Cross, which has a recognised responsibility in the field.   

Schools curriculum
The most recent announcement comes just a few weeks before the Red Cross’ planned presentation at the Welsh Assembly on 23 October, which will celebrate the Life.Live it. campaign and the work of the Red Cross in Wales.

Jeff Collins, director of the British Red Cross in Wales, said: “The embedding of first aid skills in the new school curriculum for the young people of Wales is an important landmark. The teaching of this essential and fundamental life skill will save lives and empower our young people to respond when the need arises.”

Education in Wales

He added: “We are very grateful that the Minister and department in the Welsh Assembly Government have responded to our recommendations in such a positive way.”

The Minister for children, education, lifelong learning and skills, commented on the revised Welsh curriculum: “For personal and social education, the revision offers a simpler structure whilst retaining valued elements of the current framework. The learning outcomes in the framework cover 7-19 year-olds and offer a wide-ranging and valuable learning agenda.

"A full range of important personal and social issues are covered including diverse areas as personal relationships, diet and health, money management, sustainable living, first aid and active citizenship."

The Red Cross will continue to work in partnership with schools throughout Wales to deliver humanitarian education programmes, which includes first aid education for young people.