WIREDGOV

The Government has published its plans to reform how and what children are taught in schools in England.

The Education Bill sets out changes to the way that pupils will be tested, teacher training and how schools are funded. The national curriculum, the core subjects and skills which all schools must teach, will be slimmed down giving teachers more freedom to teach other subjects. We’d like to see all children taught emergency life-saving skills.

Joseph Clift, Policy Officer at the BHF, said: “Giving schools the freedom to focus on a core set of skills provides an excellent opportunity for children to be taught lifesaving skills.

“We want MPs to amend the Bill to help children to leave school with the skills to save a life, empowering them to play a vital role in their family and local community.

“Children learn about algebra and English history, but being able to name all of Henry VIII's wives is unlikely to save someone's life in an emergency. Knowing how to stop bleeding, open an airway or perform CPR should be considered as important as knowing times tables.”

Our Heartstart programme works in partnership with local volunteer groups, the ambulance service and other organisations to teach people in communities including schools emergency life support skills.