Students make learningfun for schoolchildren

As part of their health and social care course, students from Portsmouth College visited Springfield School, Cosham.

There they discussed the effects of drugs, alcohol, smoking and legal highs.

But they also put over positive messages too – on how to promote a healthy diet for young people.

The aim was to design lessons that were more engaging than typical classroom learning.

Catherine Palmer, who teaches the health and social care course at Portsmouth College said: ‘I think this is really relevant.

‘Pupils are so used to having a teacher standing in front of them and giving them information.

‘But to see students, some of whom have actually been to this school two or three years ago, giving them really positive messages about health is a really good thing.’

Nipa Akther, 17, was part of the team trying to raise awareness of alcohol-related issues.

She gave pupils the opportunity to try on a pair of beer goggles.

The glasses are designed to show how alcohol can impact your vision, and she explained why it is so important young people know about these issues.

‘Once they start getting into Year 8 and 9 they start going to house parties, which often have alcohol there’, said Nipa.

‘Hopefully if they know about the effects early then they will realise how it can impact their futures.’

Miss Palmer said the event was very well received by pupils at the school.

She said the school would like to do more similar things with her students.

‘It seems that there is more to come in the future,’ said Miss Palmer.

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