School pupils are shown the consequences of arson
A new scheme which, aims to teach young people about the cost and consequences of arson, is being piloted in secondary schools across Warwickshire.
The course, ‘Elements of Risk’ is being run by Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service and is aimed at young people aged between, 14 – 16 (key stage 4). The course will be delivered by community fire safety officers who will talk to the young people about a range of issues including the cost and consequences of arson, peer pressure and anti social behaviour.
The programme is currently being piloted at Stratford High, Highham Lane, Nuneaton, Kingsbury School; specialist science and mathematics college, Kineton High, Rugby High and Alcester Grammar. The course will be evaluated, by both pupils and teachers and it is hoped that it will be ready to roll out across the county in September 2007.
Schools Liaison Officer, Ruth Greenhalgh said: “20 schools are damaged or destroyed in an arson attack every week and around a 100,000 pupils are affected by school arson each year in England and Wales. This is a great opportunity for us to target young people, by not only telling them about the effects of arson, but also to the lives of young people like themselves.”