MINI medics have been learning new skills to help save lives in the case of an emergency.
Year 6 pupils at Barnard Castle Preparatory School spent the day being taught how to call for help, perform CPR, what to do in the event of choking and how to deal with blood loss.
The life-skills initiative is part of a rich programme of activities they experience as an alternative to SATs.
Pupils also spent the week addressing wellbeing and positive mental health with a number of activities designed to boost the mind and body, promote friendship and teamwork, including dance workshops, origami, reflection and relaxation sessions.
Andrew Clarke, of the First Aid Training Academy, Barnard Castle, delivered the mini-medic workshop covering general emergencies, scene safety and calling for help, CPR using resus-dolls, and what to do in cases of choking, asthma attacks and clinical shock.
He said: “By the end of the sessions the children appreciate the chain of survival, that they are capable of administering first aid and that they really can make a difference.
“The Prep School Year 6s have been great and done really well, learning skills that could one day save someone’s life.”
Pupil Mirabelle Harrison said: “We all learnt a lot about first aid and we now feel much more confident about helping if there is an emergency.”
Headmistress Laura Turner said: “The mini medic day remains a crucial element of the Prep School’s Achievement Award, which Year 6 pupils complete in their final year as a more useful and enriching alternative to SATs.
“Not only do they gain valuable life-skills, they are enriched with greater awareness of the needs of others and greater consciousness of their own capabilities, making them more self-confident and self-reliant but also much better at working in a team.
“The Achievement Award is something unique to Prep School, which has been developed over the past nine years. Unlike SATs, the programme lasts all year and is entirely relevant to their future lives.”
Anyone wanting to learn more about Barnard Castle Prep School and its Achievement Award can contact the school at prep@barneyschool.org.uk.