JBugs attend citizenship course at Croydon Fire Station

The Junior Form recently visited Croydon Fire Station where they took part in a course run by the Junior Citizenship Scheme and organised by the London Transport Museum Education Department. Students attended as part of Trinity’s Personal Development programme.  

The students followed a carousel of workshops to teach them important life skills, like keeping themselves and others safe, and helping them to make responsible decisions. 

First up, the London Ambulance Service taught the group about basic First Aid, and they learnt transferable skills to help them manage any emergency situation.  

The London Fire Brigade spoke to them about fire safety in the home, testing fire alarms and smoke detectors, using candles at home safely and what to do if they smell smoke or see fire at home. 

The Metropolitan Police spoke to them about gangs, stealing and knife crime.  

The fourth workshop focused specifically on ‘stranger danger’; what to do and where to go if they ever felt in danger when out and about. Students also learnt about online strangers, followers, fake profiles and age restrictions.  

One particular highlight was when Luke (the stranger, pictured above making his escape!) entered the room and invited the groups to have a tour around the fire station and have a look at his fire engine. The vast majority of students jumped at the chance and were then shocked to discover he was a stranger whom they had just followed! Luke did a great job at getting the message through and it will be a memorable lesson for all.

“We learnt how to check people’s ID and how to avoid being kidnapped,” said JBug James. 

Ansel added, “Don’t trust people you don’t know, unless you know who they are, and they are safe…like the police or NHS workers.” 

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The Personal Development programme at Trinity School, Croydon, was praised in the recent ISI Report: It “explores a range of suitable topics [revisiting] key themes in increasingly sophisticated ways as the pupils mature. As a result, the programme equips pupils with a sophisticated understanding and respect for difference and diversity.”