EVERY child at Holmes Chapel Primary School now has first aid knowledge thanks to the PTA and St John Ambulance.

Pupils at the school have completed first aid training with St John Ambulance, the nation’s leading first aid charity, which spent a week in the school delivering its Student First Aid programme to our to 11-year-olds.

The programme was funded by the school’s PTA with the aim of teaching all students how to assess a first aid situation, take action and provide care for a casualty until further help arrives.

It is the first time all the pupils at the school have received first aid training with the course specially tailored for each age group.

Younger students took part in engaging scenarios involving how to make an emergency phone call, while older students were given more hands on training. This included how to dress and bandage bruising, bleeding and burns.

Year 6 students were trained in CPR using one of St John’s specialist training manikins.

Headteacher Fiona Gresty said: “Research by St John’s Ambulance shows that seven out of 10 pupils wouldn’t know what to do if someone they knew was hurt.

"Our aim was to turn the tables on that and ensure all of our students have some basic first aid knowledge. Even at four years old, the ability to make a successful 999 call can make the difference between life lost and a life saved.

"All of our students have had their knowledge and confidence boosted by this week’s training and it’s been a great addition to their education.”

Clare Kozyra, chairman of the school’s PTA said: “As a PTA we are always looking to enrich our students’ learning experiences.

"Providing them with life-saving new skills such as those they have learned this week is invaluable.

"The team from St John Ambulance have been absolutely fantastic in delivering such fun and engaging first aid sessions.

"We are delighted to now have our own army of first aiders at Holmes Chapel Primary School, which can only be a huge asset to the school and wider community as a whole.”

Holmes Chapel Primary School is ranked as an outstanding school by Ofsted.