§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will make a statement regarding the provision of basic first aid education for children; [104446]
(2) what assessment he has made of (a) the benefits of first aid teaching at an early stage of children's education and (b) the age at which such education should be first provided. [104447]
§ Mr. MilibandBasic Aid Training is included in the curriculum as part of the framework for Personal Social and Health Education. No assessment has been made by the Department for Education and Skills of the benefits of first aid teaching in schools. The aim is to ensure that children are safe within and outside their school environment. At Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11) children are taught about school rules, health and safety, basic emergency aid procedures and where to get help. Learning continues through Key Stage 3 and 4. At Key Stage 4 (ages 5–16) young people learn to recognise and follow health and safety requirements and develop skills to cope with emergency situations that require basic aid procedures, including resuscitation techniques.