Today our Year 6 pupils spent the morning at Kendal’s police and fire stations, taking part in the Junior Citizenship event—a special programme designed to help young people develop essential life skills and learn how to stay safe as they move on to secondary school.
Throughout the morning, students rotated through a variety of engaging and thought-provoking activity stations, each focusing on a different aspect of personal safety and responsible citizenship.
One station featured a virtual reality film, giving pupils an immersive look at how quickly a house fire can spread. The realism of the film helped them understand how important it is to spot fire hazards early, plan escape routes, and know what to do in an emergency.
Another hands-on activity involved using a “throw bag”—a piece of rescue equipment often found near lakes, rivers and reservoirs used to assist someone struggling in the water. Students practiced proper throwing techniques and learned how to call for help and guide a person to safety, reinforcing the importance of staying calm and acting quickly in emergency situations.
A talk on hate crime and anti-social behaviour encouraged thoughtful discussions around respecting others and recognising unacceptable behaviour. Officers explained how such actions can affect individuals and communities, and what young people can do if they witness or experience them.
In a final session on cybercrime and online safety, pupils were challenged to crack a fictional person’s password using clues gathered from their social media profile. This eye-opening activity demonstrated how seemingly innocent information—like pet names or birthdays—can be used to guess passwords, underlining the need to protect personal data and think carefully about what we share online.
All of our students found the day incredibly valuable. It not only taught them practical safety skills but also helped build their confidence in responding to real-life situations. Most importantly, it sparked important conversations about making smart, safe choices both in person and online.
We’re very grateful to Cumbria police & fire services for organising such a meaningful and memorable experience.
