16 May, 2012

A group of school children from North Devon have received lessons in how to stay safe on farms and in the countryside, thanks to an initiative launched by rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual.

Youngsters at Clawton Primary School, Holsworthy were treated to two sessions about farm safety, safety around animals and electricity by qualified teacher and independent health and safety expert Jason Cole at the end of last week.

South West insurer Cornish Mutual has been working with former PE teacher Jason Cole as part of its 'FarmSafe for Schools' project which was launched earlier this year.

'FarmSafe for Schools' is a free online teaching resource with lesson plans, posters and downloadable worksheets covering six key topics including farm, road and rail safety, how to behave around animals, electricity, hygiene and the Countryside Code.

Aimed at children aged between 5 and 11 and developed by educational experts, it is linked to Key Stage 1 and 2 curricula for Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE), Geography and Citizenship.

Jason has worked for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for the Child Safety Education Coalition (CSEC), getting organisations to work together to promote best practice in health and safety.

Jason Cole says: "It is important that all children are given the opportunity to learn about food and farming in our beautiful countryside. This project goes some way to provide them with the tools to stay safe when they are out and about. Not only might they go on to choose careers in the countryside or live in rural settings, but we hope they will spend more leisure time there as they grow up appreciating farming and the countryside for all it has to offer. Giving them a set of skills to stay safe is truly something of value for their entire life."
 
Chris Wright, Headteacher at Clawton Primary School, says: "As a school, we very much welcome this learning opportunity.  The school is based within a rural community and many of the families live and work in an agricultural setting.  All of the children access the beautiful countryside regularly, therefore, the important messages that this very well put together course delivers, are invaluable in raising the awareness of rural safety for us all.  We offer sincere thanks to teacher Tracey Vickery for instigating this initiative for our school, as well as Cornish Mutual."
 
Alan Goddard, Managing Director of Cornish Mutual, adds: "When it comes to big issues such as health and safety on farms and in the countryside in Devon, it is really important to reach children at a young age. These really are formative years for youngsters and a time when they can benefit most from what they learn at school and in the classroom. We are delighted to be working with Jason on the 'FarmSafe for Schools' project and proud that Cornish Mutual is supporting such a worthwhile initiative in the county."

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