This Key Stage three programme targets secondary schools in ‘hot spot’ areas to reduce the frequency of arson and hoax calls, and also meets the National Curriculum requirements for Citizenship / PSHE. The programme is delivered by Community Safety education teams, in the form of an interactive courtroom scenario, which involves the students taking on the roles of defence, prosecution, witnesses, judge etc. The lesson requires the young people to consider the effects and social, moral and legal consequences of anti-social behaviour such as arson and hoax calls. Due to the interactive and flexible nature of these lessons, they have been welcomed by teachers and students, and the programme has been adopted by other fire services throughout the country.
The programmes are designed to cause the least possible disruption to the schools timetable, by working with the school teachers, linking to curriculum subjects and visiting at an appropriate time for the school.
