26 January, 2012

More than 1,300 primary schools across the South West will be encouraged to teach children about the dangers on farms and in the countryside with the help of a new initiative being launched this week.

Cornish Mutual is targeting youngsters in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset as part of an initiative covering six key topics including farm, road and rail safety, how to behave around animals, electricity, hygiene and the Countryside Code.

'Farmsafe for Schools' is a free online teaching resource which includes lesson plans and downloadable practical worksheets to be used in the classroom, with 16 different activities designed for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The materials also offer detailed teachers notes, as well as a number of presentations and two colourfully animated posters.

Developed by educational experts and health and safety consultants, the programme is linked to the Key Stage 1 and 2 curricula for Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE), Geography and Citizenship. 

Over 2,600 teachers and head teachers across the region will start to receive letters about the new free online resource from this week, along with a poster to display in the classroom. It is expected that the teaching materials will be available to around 260,000 school children in the Westcountry.

Alan Goddard, managing director at Cornish Mutual, says: "As an insurer for the rural community, we understand that farms and the countryside can sometimes be a dangerous place for children. We have developed this online teaching resource in order to help pupils identify some of the dangers and learn how to deal with them.

"We have tried to open up new and exciting possibilities for learning and we hope that our 'Farmsafe for Schools' initiative will provide primary school teachers in the South West with everything they need to deliver engaging lessons and help their students to stay safe in the countryside."

Teacher Justin Vernon from Topsham School in Devon adds: "The pack provides an imaginative and engaging programme covering a number of subject areas. It is ready to go and a great resource to use in the classroom. We have found that it is highly relevant to children of this particular age and provides a good deal of interactivity. The teaching materials in the 'Farmsafe for Schools' resource gives the opportunity for young people to be creative, but at the same time highlights some serious issues and concerns in a very motivational way."

The first poster being sent out reminds children about the existence of the 'Countryside Code' and encourages youngsters to plan ahead and follow signs, leave gates and property how they found them, protect plants and animals, take their litter home, keep dogs under close control and think about others.

The second focuses on safety around animals, giving pupils pointers on moving slowly and quietly, approaching from the front, leaving animals alone if they are sleeping, eating or with their young and washing their hands after touching an animal.

For more information about Cornish Mutual's 'Farmsafe for Schools' initiative and to download any of the free teaching resources, visit www.cornishmutual.co.uk/farmsafeforschools.