A group of primary schoolchildren from Herne Hill have been taught first aid and CPR skills in an educational session at King’s College Hospital, writes Maya Sgaravato-Grant…
The children, who are aged between 9-11 and attend Jessop Primary School, learnt how to keep someone alive and safe until professional help arrives in an emergency.
Headteacher Mr Kenneth Baffoe, emphasised the importance of developing this ‘incredibly valuable life-skill’. He said: “By learning how to respond calmly and safely, children develop awareness, resilience, and the confidence to seek help when it matters most.”
The event was led by King’s Paediatric iMobile team, and arranged as part of a wider ‘King’s Young Ambassadors’ Programme.
This programme sees the pupils regularly visit the hospital as ‘patient ambassadors’, taking part in health-related education and wellbeing sessions.
Sarah Harris, head of nursing for Variety Children’s Hospital at King’s in Camberwell, said: “It was wonderful to see so many children excited to discover how they might be able to save a life. Those basic skills of first aid and techniques like CPR will help them step in to support someone else in need.”
Following the session, the children were also able to speak to patients and parents in King’s Children’s Outpatients Department, and offer feedback on the waiting areas and clinical rooms.
