year 12 first aid elective course

In this week's focus on our Year 12 Electives programme, we learn more about the opportunity to study First Aid as an enrichment option 10-week course led by Mrs Evans. The course is available each term, so a great many students are able to enrol on rotation throughout the academic year.

This is the first year that an option to study First Aid has been offered at UGS, and take up by our students has understandably been high, as it benefits the progression not only of those whose ambition is to study and pursue a career in Medicine, but in a multitude of related sectors.

Several of the students currently enroled on the course, and pictured above, such as Romaan, Jasmine and Derin, were keen to take advantage of this opportunity as they are aspiring medics, and undertaking the course will strengthen their University applications by enhancing and developing the experience, skills and attributes that they can showcase while competing for places at Medical school.

The course appeals not only to our medics, but to students with a variety of aspirations, such as Lizzie, who aims to study Veterinary Science, and Matthew, whose objective is to join the Armed Forces. All participants are appreciative of the opportunity that it offers to broaden the scope of their A Level studies, and to enrich their long-term prospects by broadening their life skill set and experience; and of how it contributes to personal, social and professional development.

This week the students were learning about the musculoskeletal system, and the body's bones, muscles and joints, and engaging in a practical study with slings and their application.

The other topic areas covered on the course are:

Primary assessment

CPR

Knife wounds

First response to incidents of choking, sepsis, bleeding, burns and scalds, and bone/muscle/joint injuries

Identifying and responding to chest pain & early signs of stroke

Mental Health First Aid.

Practicals involving learning hands-on skills in resuscitation, using Annie dolls

Course leader Mrs Evans shares that she tailors some components of the course to specific areas of interest to the students following their feedback, and she hopes next year to be able to offer the opportunity to gain full First Aid qualification to the students who enrol.

With huge thanks to Mrs Evans and the students for sharing insight into this great enrichment opportunity for our Year 12s!