W:
www.ie-today.co.uk
"SCHOOLS ARE DEVELOPING TAILORED PROGRAMMES TO ENGAGE WITH PUPILS ABOUT BINGE DRINKING"
CharlieB (left) is founder of A Word of Warning, supporting hundreds of independent schools throughout the UK to deliver their PHSE programme
their own. There isn’t a simple solution. There’s no quick fix. The solution requires investment, commitment and a clear understanding of the problem. Parental and pupil engagement and support from the local community are also critical. Schools reluctantly acknowledge that
some pupils are going to drink too much and that, in a few cases, they are going to drink dangerously. Many schools have evolved from a blanket zero-tolerance policy, recognising that telling young people not to drink or preaching about the dangers of drinking too much doesn’t work. However, what does work is allowing young people opportunities to freely discuss their views, opinions and experiences. As part of their PHSE curriculum schools are developing tailored programmes to engage with and inform pupils about binge drinking and, more importantly, the steps that they need to take in an emergency. NHS reports state that too many
young people die as a result of alcohol poisoning because there is an avoidable delay in calling for help. Many pupils I talk to say that, in a situation like this, they panic or are too scared to call for
W:
www.awordofwarning.co.uk
help. Often they believe an unconscious friend can simply ‘sleep it off’. Schools have made great progress
in raising awareness of the dangers of binge drinking; recruiting outside councillors, developing pastoral care, commissioning PHSE speakers and delivering tailored classroom activities. But the problem is still very real. It is evolving and presenting new challenges. Critics have argued that raising
awareness about alcohol through education enhances knowledge and modifies atitudes: however, the impact often dissipates after a few weeks. Raising awareness just isn’t enough anymore. Schools need to develop a bold, fresh approach to tackling pupils’ atitudes towards binge drinking. The most successful education
programmes in effecting behavioural change are tailored to meet the needs of the pupils and the culture of the school. They are led by senior management and supported and championed throughout the school by staff, pupils and parents. St Edmunds, Canterbury is an
example of a school that has embraced an innovative, whole-school approach.
Deputy Head, Ed O’Connor, says: “Communicating effectively with young people on this subject is a real challenge for schools. We need to inform and educate our pupils to manage the risks in an effective manner: fire-fighting problems reactively only addresses the symptoms of a deeply ingrained and complex issue. “Independent schools have some
flexibility to take a lead here. We are developing a bespoke programme of activities which we are hoping to roll out across year groups. These activities will be delivered in part through academic subjects and incorporate peer-to-peer collaboration, staff and parental engagement.” Designing and delivering tailored
programmes is a balancing act. It involves investment, commitment, engagement, risk management, collaboration and leadership. It requires consistency, energy and determination. Schools, parents and pupils all have a part to play in effecting change. Schools have come a long way in successfully raising awareness of the problem. Now it’s time for engagement, collaboration, innovation and action. iE
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