Students get close up lesson at car crash scene

Students at St Patrick's School in Inglewood experienced plenty of hands-on learning recently at the culmination of their firewise programme.

The Inglewood Volunteer Fire Brigade simulated a two-car crash on the road outside the school using two teacher aides from the school and two Inglewood high school students as the crash victims.

The simulation started with the Inglewood siren sounding, and then the fire engine arrived at the 'crash scene". Firefighters assessed the damage and then used tools such as the jaws of life to cut the victims free, demonstrating to the watching students how they would work in a real life scenario.

The demonstration follows on from other events the school has participated in, including a visit from the Rescue Helicopter.

Once the demonstration was completed, students in Room One got to participate in a junior fire fighter course which included having them holding and directing the hose at cones as well as an obstacle course designed to show them the difficulties fire fighters have to contend with in their job.

Teacher Sonia Rova says: "It's really important to provide the children with real experiences to enhance and support the learning in the classrooms. This is lifelong learning and not only gives them the knowledge of what happens in a crash but also how important it is to stay calm and trust the emergency services as they know what they are doing."