So basically, St John Ambulance has partnered with the award-winning West End musical WICKED to launch teachthedifference.org.uk, a free resource website to help schools teach first aid, and the values behind it, to pupils aged 5-16. There’s been a lot of feedback from teachers who believe first aid could help teach pupils crucial values.

Here are a few key stats –

• Almost all (94%) teachers surveyed said first aid lessons in school would help make young people more responsible.
• One in three teachers (30.2%) said cost was the biggest obstacle to teaching first aid*.

Teach the difference is addressing both of these points by offering schools free or low cost resources to help increase the number of young people learning first aid, and using the example of Elphaba (the lead character) to bring the values behind first aid to life.

The website is aiming to draw from WICKED’s themes of choices, values and consequences, and it’s the first step in St John Ambulance’s partnership with the award winning musical and is set to encourage schools to teach first aid in a more integrated way.

Here are some good words –

Will Chew, Education Officer at St John Ambulance, said: ‘It’s crucial that young people are taught to make the right choices and learning how to save lives is a perfect example. Teach the difference offers schools a more engaging way to teach first aid that they can use at little or no cost. Working with WICKED means that we can present teachers with a uniquely engaging, free resource to give them additional support, at a time when they’re likely to be under pressure to reduce the amount they spend.’

WICKED Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: ‘We’ve always been inspired by St John Ambulance’s determination that nobody should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it – particularly when we saw the shocking figure that 150,000 people die every year in situations where first aid could have been the difference.. Over 250,000 pupils have seen the show in the last five years, and the lead character Elphaba, has become an ideal role model for pupils because of her high moral standing and spirit to stand up for what she believes is right . In difficult situations young people can now look to the figure of Elphaba to ask ‘What would Elphaba do?’; when pupils are given this confidence, along with the skills to save a life, it makes for a very powerful combination.’

Lastly, for a limited period St John Ambulance and WICKED will be offering a free Young First Aider teaching guide (retailing at £30) to those who register on teachthedifference.org.uk

About David Cant

A chartered (fellow) safety and risk management practitioner with 20+ years of experience. David provides a healthy dose of how-to articles, advice and guidance to make compliance easier for construction professionals, Architects and the built environment. Get social with David on Twitter and Linkedin.