Lifesaving lessons held at Heysham secondary school
Pupils at Bay Leadership Academy demonstrated their dedication to making a positive difference in their community by taking part in lifesaving workshops to mark Restart a Heart Day.
Throughout the day, every member of the school’s Year 7 cohort, alongside the pupil leadership group, received professional training in essential emergency first aid skills.
A total of 180 pupils took part, learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and correctly place someone in the recovery position.
The practical sessions gave pupils hands-on experience of life-preserving techniques and helped them understand the important role that bystanders can play in the critical moments before emergency services arrive.
These skills have the potential to save lives and make a real difference in moments of crisis.
Staff leading the event praised the pupils for the maturity and enthusiasm they displayed throughout the training, pointing to their exemplary behaviour and the way they approached the training with focus, respect and a genuine desire to learn.
The annual event formed part of the school’s commitment to community service and social action – ensuring that every pupil leaves Bay Leadership Academy equipped with the knowledge and confidence to respond calmly and appropriately during a medical emergency.
By the time they complete their secondary education, every pupil will have received CPR training at least once.
Principal Stacey Cantley said: "At Bay Leadership Academy, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom.
"We want our pupils to develop a strong sense of personal responsibility for the wellbeing of others, particularly the most vulnerable members of our community.
"By taking part in Restart a Heart Day, our pupils demonstrated a willingness to engage with an issue that affects people from all walks of life.
"We are incredibly proud of the maturity, compassion and commitment they showed throughout the training.
“We are thrilled that there are now 180 more young people in our community that have the skills to provide vital CPR in an emergency situation.
"The knowledge and confidence they have gained could one day help to save the life of a friend, family member or another person in need, and that is a powerful reminder of the positive impact young people can have on the world around them."
Restart a Heart Day is an annual initiative led by Resuscitation Council UK to raise awareness of cardiac arrest and encourage more people to learn CPR.
Effective CPR, alongside the prompt use of a defibrillator where available, can significantly improve a person's chances of surviving a cardiac arrest.
To learn more, visit https://www.resus.org.uk/public-resource/how-do-cpr