The Heart of the Community accreditation scheme offers three levels of recognition, and we are proud to have achieved the bronze award by meeting the evidence requirements. This includes our annual participation in Restart a Heart Day, where our students in year 10 learn how to perform CPR, and our efforts to make defibrillators available within the Academy. This includes a defibrillator inside our premises and an external defibrillator accessible to those using the outdoor sports area.

The bronze award comes from our dedication to training our students in CPR skills. We believe that what happens in the first few minutes after someone has suffered a cardiac arrest is vital. By equipping our students with these life-saving skills and ensuring access to defibrillators, we are contributing to the community's safety and well-being.

Science teacher Mrs Patel, who organises our annual CPR training event for Restart a Heart Day, applied for the award on behalf of the Academy. She told us: "We are honoured to receive the Bronze Heart of the Community accreditation. This recognition reflects our school's ongoing commitment to teaching vital life-saving skills to both our students and the wider community."

Hoping to achieve further accreditation in the future, she went on to say, "We will continue to strive to expand our efforts, equipping even more individuals with the knowledge and abilities needed to make a difference in emergencies. Together, we are building safer communities."

Mrs Patel (right) with Ambulance Service personnel and students at our Restart a Heart Day event.