Students from Kingswood Secondary Academy in Corby have taken part in a Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service early-intervention programme designed to equip them with skills to prepare for their futures.
Ten Year Eight students were welcomed to Corby Fire Station for a three-day Action, Reaction and Consequence (ARC) course by members of the Fire Service’s Prevention Team.
The course combines practical activities with classroom-based learning to develop transferable skills that can support young people in their everyday lives.
Students were taught about fire, water and road safety, including how to identify potential fire-risks such as charging e-scooters and other lithium-ion batteries.
Practical sessions gave students the opportunity to learn water-rescue techniques, using throwlines, and experience a range of firefighting techniques with hose-reels and ladders. Teamwork tasks helped to bring it all into practice and build confidence in working together.
The students were also shown how to give lifesaving first-aid such as managing bleeding and how to perform CPR.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Youth Engagement Officer Michelle Bates organises and delivers the ARC courses.
Michelle said: “The ARC course gives us the opportunity to engage with young people at an early stage, with activities that are designed to help them grow in confidence and develop important skills.
“It is great to see the students learning, improving their knowledge of risks, learning how to work as a team – all while having fun.”
Kingswood Secondary Academy reported that the ARC course encouraged resilience, confidence building, teamwork and a sense of pride in achievements amongst the students.
Parents also expressed that their young people thoroughly enjoyed each session and eagerly anticipated each stage.
One of the students who took part in the course said:
“The course was a great experience for me as the group activities were awesome and the things I got to learn will be beneficial if anything ever happened.”
