School receives top marks for safety

Stevenage’s Martins Wood School is the first in Hertfordshire to receive the new St John Ambulance Schools Mark.

First aid obligations fulfilled

This prestigious national award is given to schools that show a significant commitment to the safety and health of their pupils, workforce and community.

The award was presented by the Hertfordshire Schools Liaison team to the school during a special assembly, along with student Young First Aider Level One certificates.

Deputy Head Andrew Carless said: ‘We are very proud to have been awarded the St John Ambulance Schools Mark. 

Long running association with St John Ambulance

'We have been pleased to work with St John Ambulance for many years; indeed our First Aid club has often entered teams into their annual Schools Competition, and on several occasions reached the national finals. 

‘We have now broadened this further by enabling all children in Years Five and Six to achieve the Young First Aider Level One qualification and gain invaluable life-saving skills.

'Our First Aid club continues to thrive and we hope that not only will the children go on to achieve their Young First Aider Level Two qualification, but also enter the schools competition once more in 2012.’

Former Martins Wood teacher, Mrs Sue Todd, who retired last year, was instrumental in setting up the schools First Aid club and in the achievement of the Schools Mark.

As a thank you for her efforts she was invited back to the school to share in the celebrations.

She said: ‘I was delighted to attend the special assembly and felt very proud that Martins Wood was the first school in Hertfordshire to receive the new award.

‘During the years that I ran the First Aid Club, I helped over a hundred children learn what to do in an emergency, which I felt was very important.

'The St John Ambulance national schools’ competition gave a focus to our learning. Some club members even went on to join St John Ambulance Cadets.

‘I wish the school success in their future development of first aid training and in the competition.’

Impressive level of first aid training in Hertfordshire schools

Jackie Burrows, Schools Liaison Officer for St John Ambulance Hertfordshire, said: 'It is absolutely fantastic that Martins Wood should show such commitment to health and safety and first aid in the workplace and the school environment, for both the students and the staff as well. The aim is to make all schools as safe as possible.’ 

More than 2,900 school children have been trained in the Young First Aider pack through St John Ambulance in Hertfordshire in the last year, with Schools Liaison Officers going into 133 schools across the county.

'As well as building the confidence of staff to respond to an emergency, first aid training teaches pupils to care for others, equipping them with the skills to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved,' said Jackie (SLO).

For more information about the work of the Schools Liaison team contact Hertfordshire St John Ambulance on 01438 740044.

If you are a teacher and are interested in teaching first aid in the classroom, please visit our schools pages.