The Schools Education Department offers a range of workshops and presentations to schools throughout the county.

In the last academic year our trainers attended over 70 different establishments, presenting almost 250 sessions and workshops. Many of these sessions took place in the county’s secondary schools, but we also presented workshops and training in primary schools, alternative curriculum centres, colleges and schools for students with learning disabilities.

We asked teachers and pupils to complete feedback forms following completion of the sessions and some of the comments received are given below.

Pupils

‘It was very informative, it was very good’
‘I liked that we could speak as adults and the amount of information provided was relevant to our age group’
‘I liked all the pictures we saw and found out about symptoms.  It was very interesting and not boring’
‘I like outside speakers coming in and giving us advice. I think there should be more sessions’
‘It was very useful to find out the symptoms and where to go for advice and help’
‘I like the clarity and honesty of the speaker’
‘Positive delivery, fun atmosphere’
‘Discussing matters on our level’
‘Interesting information - learnt new things’
‘I liked being able to talk without being embarrassed’

Teachers

‘I think these topics are essential for all students entering adulthood. The topic is presented in a relevant and entertaining way but gets the message across’
‘Positive Health is very approachable and adaptable. To turn up to two sessions at either end of the day is something others wouldn’t do!’
‘Pace of delivery is just right, sometimes this proves hard (as our students are somewhat bright) for many outside speakers to get right - Positive Health does’
‘I think the flexibility and the authority which the presenters have, is the biggest asset.  No two lesson go the same but you seem to adapt to get the best out of each group’
‘The pupils definitely benefit from an outside speaker because if I had to cover these topics myself, it wouldn’t have the impact that having an outside speaker has. I’m sure they appreciate someone else with new jokes and styles too!’

WORKSHOPS CURRENTLY OFFERED IN SCHOOLS/COLLEGES/ALTERNATIVE CURRICULUM SITES AND SUPPORTED HOUSING PROJECTS

HIV/AIDS AWARENESS
HIV/AIDS - STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS
RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTRACEPTION
RISKY BEHAVIOUR
DRUGS AWARENESS
ALCOHOL AWARENESS
SMOKING AND ITS’ EFFECTS
PUBERTY

WORKSHOPS FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES

PERSONAL HYGIENE
DEVELOPING SELF ESTEEM
POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
RISKY BEHAVIOUR
APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
DRUGS AWARENESS

ADULT TRAINING

HOMOPHOBIC BULLYING
POLICING MINORITY COMMUNITIES (LGBT)
HIV/AIDS AWARENESS

The Education and Training department can ‘tailor-make’ sessions for any organisation and will be happy to discuss individual requirements.

A SELECTION OF THE CURRENT SCHOOLS WORKSHOPS

HIV/AIDS Awareness and HIV/AIDS Advanced

Increasing participants’ knowledge of HIV is the focus of this workshop.  Information about how HIV is transmitted and how to reduce the risk of transmission form the main body of the workshop with the overall aim being to reduce instances of HIV infection and dispel myths surrounding HIV/AIDS.

The HIV/AIDS awareness workshop is targeted at Years 9 to 11 and includes definitions of HIV and AIDS, routes of transmission and group work to identify risky behaviours that may lead to HIV infection.  The Advanced workshop is aimed at 6th form students and adults and takes a more direct approach to the issues of HIV infection and the consequences of infection for an individual.

• Define HIV/AIDS and recognise the difference between them, understand the characteristics of the virus and management of the disease.
• Identify the body fluids responsible for HIV transmission
• Discuss the risk of HIV transmission, highlighting activities that may increase the chance of infection and identify effective preventative measures
• Increase knowledge of the statistics of HIV transmission, worldwide, nationally and locally.

HIV Stigma and Discrimination

This workshop is directed at year 10 students to adults and aims, through discussion, group work and thought provoking activities, to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with individuals being HIV positive.

• Define and give and introduction to HIV/AIDS, including routes of transmission and dispel myths associated with HIV/AIDS.
• Discuss stigma and discrimination, defining what those terms mean and develop and awareness and appreciation of what it feels like to be discriminated against.
• Highlight the results of discrimination and the harm that may result from discriminatory actions or judgements.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

As sexual infection rates continue to rise within the population, the continuing importance of sexual health education is highlighted.  This workshop focuses on STIs, identifying signs and symptoms of infection (with the help of a PowerPoint presentation and/or laminate photographs) and the treatments available (depending on the infection).  The focus of this workshop is on prevention of disease through education and safe practices.  The workshop is suitable for Year 9 pupils and above.

• To reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections
• Increase knowledge and understanding of STIs, including signs, symptoms and treatments
• Identify the best forms of protection against STIs and identify risky behaviours and practices that may lead to contracting an STI
• Provide information about condoms

Sex and Relationships

In the sex and relationship workshop we aim to identify the differences between having sex and having a relationship.  The workshop is suitable from Year 9 upwards; the information provided during the session will iterate the legal age limits for sexual relations and the implications for individuals that break the law.

The workshop is designed to give young people the skill to negotiate sex and make decisions regarding sex, on their terms.  We look at why people have sex and the factors that may influence that decision, such as peer pressure.  The workshop also looks at saying no to sex and what can be gained from saying no.  Using scenarios we look at possible consequences of having sex. The final part of the workshop looks at ways of discussing relationships, communication and why relationships can go wrong.

Risky Behaviour

This workshop was developed to increase young peoples’ awareness of the potential danger they might encounter on a night out and also to provide them with practical strategies for dealing with adverse situations, should they arise.  The workshop is aimed at Year 10 to 6th form students and also has relevance for College and University students.

• Using group work scenarios, identify behaviours that may lead to potentially risky situations
• Utilise scenarios within these areas to highlight the risks involved with drink spiking, personal safety (assault, rape etc), alcohol/drug induced violence and unsafe sex
• Provide information and strategies to reduce the risks involved in identified situations

Drug Awareness (Drug Box)

The Drug workshop is universal in terms of its target audience and has been successfully delivered in primary school, secondary schools, pupil referral units and youth clubs.  Through the workshop, with the aid of the drugs box and PowerPoint to help identification, we aim to give young people the knowledge that will help them make future decisions about drugs.

Directed at older age groups we aim to complement and reinforce the information that the Police may have provided to Year 7 pupils, reiterating the legal classifications and consequences of using drugs, but also adding in the personal and social aspects of drug use.

• Clarify the classifications of drugs and the situation in which a person may be arrested/cautioned for using drugs (possession, intent to supply and supply). Identify the legal implications of each scenario and how a conviction may affect future job opportunities.
• Identify the effects of drug use, including side effects, both in the short term and the long term.
• Use the Drug Box to become familiar with the appearance of different substances and different forms of some drugs.
• Look at personal strategies for saying no to drugs.

Drug and Alcohol Awareness

This workshop is aimed at younger age groups and aims to identify the difference between legal and illegal drugs.  Also, discussion takes place around why and when people use drugs and also highlight the difference between prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, social drugs and illegal drugs.

The workshop is very good at addressing any questions or issues that the participants may have about any type of drug.  We promote a safe learning environment to allow the group to gain as much as possible from the session.

Alcohol Awareness

Alcohol is readily available and often used by an increasing amount of young people. As it is a legal drug, alcohol can be misconceived as having little risk attached to its consumption and consequently can be used in a reckless manner.  The purpose of the Alcohol Awareness workshop is to look at the effect on mind and body and general health, by short term and prolonged use of alcohol.  Also we aim to raise awareness of the different types and strengths of alcoholic drink available and laws associated with alcohol sale, purchase and consumption.  The workshop is aimed at pupils form Year 6 to Year 11.

• Identify what is alcohol and why people drink
• How alcohol affects peoples’ minds, bodies and actions. Look at what a hangover is
• Identify different alcohol products and how they are measured and what this measure means
• Alcohol and the law
• Look at alcohol related problems such as binge drinking, accidents and violence
• Identify the risks of drunkenness including unsafe sex
• Discuss alcohol abuse and Alcohol Dependency Syndrome (ADS) and why people become addicted to alcohol

Raising Awareness of the Risks of Smoking

Most young people are aware of smoking from a very early age, often through a family member or friend that smokes.  As such, it is important that young people are made aware of the health risks of smoking, fairly early on too.  With this in mind, our workshop is focussed at Year 6 pupils but could be used with a lower age group and with older pupils up to Year 9. The aim of this workshop is to raise awareness of the risks involved with smoking.

• Why people smoke, addiction and habit
• What’s in a cigarette
• The short and long term effects of smoking, on the body
• Smoking related deaths
• Strategies to say no to smoking, where to go for help and advice

 EDUCATION AND TRAINING PRICING STRUCTURE - 2008/2009

 

TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT	TYPE OF SESSION/NUMBER OF PUPILS	NUMBER OF TRAINERS REQUIRED	COST
Comprehensive School	Single - tutor group (approx. 30 pupils)	1	£40
	Single - year group (up to 150 pupils)   Single - year group (over 150 pupils)	1     2	£150     £200
Primary School		APPROXIMATE TIME
	Introduction to Puberty	1.5 hours	£55
	Positive Relationships	1 hour	£45
	Introduction to Sex	1 hour	£45
	Drugs Awareness	1.5 hours	£55
Discount of £15 will be given to Primary Schools that book all 4 workshops
Private School	Single - tutor group (approx. 30 pupils)	1	£55
	Single - year group (up to 150 pupils)	1	£200
	Single - year group (over 150 pupils)	2	£300
Colleges	Single - group (max. 30 pupils)	1	£55
	Single - group (max. 60 pupils)	1	£100
In county - (eg. adult training)	Single Session (1 - 11/2 hours)   Half day - (3 hours up to 20 participants)   Full day - (6 - 7 hours up to 20 participants)	1     1-2     1-2	£75     £250     £400
Out of county establishments	Single sessions (1 - 2 hours)	1   2	£150   £300
	Full day training (6 - 7 hours)	1   2	£400   £750