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20/09/2021
School Pupils To Be Given CPR Training
All school pupils aged 11 to 14 will receive CPR training starting in the academic year 2022/23, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
Making the announcement, the Minister said: "CPR is a critical and potentially life-saving skill. In Northern Ireland, there are around 1,400 cardiac arrests a year that take place outside hospital. Less than one person in ten survives to be discharged from hospital. We know that providing CPR training within the school curriculum can have a clear and measurable impact on survival rates.
"My Department has therefore written to all post primary schools setting out my expectation that pupils at Key Stage 3 will be trained in CPR from the 2022/23 school year. I have asked CCEA and the Education Authority to work closely with the British Heart Foundation and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to develop guidance, resources and training to support schools in this important work."
CPR training kits are available free to all eligible post-primary schools through the British Heart Foundation's ‘Call Push Rescue' programme. It contains a range of resources to support the teaching of CPR, including reusable inflatable manikins and practice-while you-watch DVDs.
The Minister added: "The importance of CPR Training is clearly demonstrated by Clare and Melissa Doyle. Clare suffered a cardiac arrest in 2017. She was saved by the heroic and quick thinking actions of her daughter Melissa who performed CPR. Melissa had been taught CPR at her school, Fort Hill Integrated College by her school nurse using the British Heart Foundation's Call Push Rescue training kit. Learning CPR at school saves lives."
Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland Fearghal McKinney said: "Every day in Northern Ireland people tragically die because bystanders don't have the confidence or knowledge to perform CPR and defibrillation. We know that in other countries where children are taught CPR in school cardiac arrest survival rates are higher.
"We congratulate the Education Minister for taking this action to ensure every pupil will now leave post-primary school with the skills and confidence to save a life. This is a significant step that promises to improve the odds of survival for countless people who have a cardiac arrest in the future."
Making the announcement, the Minister said: "CPR is a critical and potentially life-saving skill. In Northern Ireland, there are around 1,400 cardiac arrests a year that take place outside hospital. Less than one person in ten survives to be discharged from hospital. We know that providing CPR training within the school curriculum can have a clear and measurable impact on survival rates.
"My Department has therefore written to all post primary schools setting out my expectation that pupils at Key Stage 3 will be trained in CPR from the 2022/23 school year. I have asked CCEA and the Education Authority to work closely with the British Heart Foundation and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to develop guidance, resources and training to support schools in this important work."
CPR training kits are available free to all eligible post-primary schools through the British Heart Foundation's ‘Call Push Rescue' programme. It contains a range of resources to support the teaching of CPR, including reusable inflatable manikins and practice-while you-watch DVDs.
The Minister added: "The importance of CPR Training is clearly demonstrated by Clare and Melissa Doyle. Clare suffered a cardiac arrest in 2017. She was saved by the heroic and quick thinking actions of her daughter Melissa who performed CPR. Melissa had been taught CPR at her school, Fort Hill Integrated College by her school nurse using the British Heart Foundation's Call Push Rescue training kit. Learning CPR at school saves lives."
Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland Fearghal McKinney said: "Every day in Northern Ireland people tragically die because bystanders don't have the confidence or knowledge to perform CPR and defibrillation. We know that in other countries where children are taught CPR in school cardiac arrest survival rates are higher.
"We congratulate the Education Minister for taking this action to ensure every pupil will now leave post-primary school with the skills and confidence to save a life. This is a significant step that promises to improve the odds of survival for countless people who have a cardiac arrest in the future."
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16 August 2021
DUP Calls For CPR Training For Post-Primary Pupils
The DUP has called on the Minister of Education to consider the introduction of CPR training for post-primary pupils in Northern Ireland.
DUP Calls For CPR Training For Post-Primary Pupils
The DUP has called on the Minister of Education to consider the introduction of CPR training for post-primary pupils in Northern Ireland.
10 March 2022
CPR Training Added To School Curriculums
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has welcomed the introduction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and awareness of the use of defibrillators (AED) to the school curriculum. The changes are part of a wider package to provide training and resources to support the rollout of CPR training in schools at Key Stage 3.
CPR Training Added To School Curriculums
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has welcomed the introduction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and awareness of the use of defibrillators (AED) to the school curriculum. The changes are part of a wider package to provide training and resources to support the rollout of CPR training in schools at Key Stage 3.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
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02 March 2018
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The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
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17 October 2018
Life-Saving CPR Training For School Pupils
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the British Heart Foundation have teamed up to teach 5000 people CPR as part of 'Restart a Heart' day. School children in south Belfast are among those learning the life-saving skill.
Life-Saving CPR Training For School Pupils
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the British Heart Foundation have teamed up to teach 5000 people CPR as part of 'Restart a Heart' day. School children in south Belfast are among those learning the life-saving skill.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
