Twelve of our Year 9 students have successfully completed a week-long, adrenaline-charged ‘Developing Resilience’ Programme at Carlisle East Fire Station.
The week consisted of operational drills designed to improve the students’ team building, problem solving and communication skills. Fire crews pushed them hard throughout the course, but they rose to every challenge, tackling scenarios with perseverance and demonstrating exceptional competence, notably in their ability to work as a team to rescue casualties from a simulated burning building. Each pupil built up a portfolio of evidence of everything they had achieved, including learning first aid.
During their passing out parade on Friday, they performed a live demonstration of their newfound skills in front of their parents and dignitaries before being proudly presented with a certificate. The Cumbria Fire and Rescue staff were highly complementary of our students and remarked that by the end of the course the twelve determined pupils wouldn’t look out of place in their service.
They add; “It was a pleasure to see the group of quiet young people who shuffled into the station on Monday blossom over the course of the five days. By the end of the week, they were barking instructions and leading by example, all with a smile on their face!”
Ms Pigdon, headteacher, said: “As a school we believe in building character in our pupils to ensure they can contribute positively to society when they leave. Programmes like this are invaluable. Our students’ growth in character was evident, and it was clear that they embraced the experience with enthusiasm. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the resilience they have developed.”
The school has a strong relationship with the service, having attended Young Firefighters courses for a number of years. This programme was funded by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen, who attended the passing out celebrations at the end of the course.
We are very grateful to all the members of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service who provided this opportunity for our students and supported them through the course.
