Guns and knives educational pack launched by Kent People's Trust and Kent Police
Kent People's Trust, with Kent Police, has launched a new education pack for use in schools and youth groups, highlighting the dangers of guns and knives, following two years of development. The educational pack, produced by the police and a number of other agencies including schools, targets three year groups: 10 to 11 year olds leaving primary school, 13 to 14 year olds and 15 year olds.
Contents of the pack
The pack includes comprehensive teaching plans and lesson materials, a group exercise with accompanying table and floor game boards and a DVD film made with the help of Kent Police firearms officers and students from a Kent school. The group exercise game has been converted for computer use to allow for use where IT facilities are available.
The project involved a number of partners including Kent Police, St George's School in Gravesend, Education, Charlton Athletic Community Scheme and other partners in Kent and Medway working together.
Benefit for schools and youth groups
The pack aims to get young people to make decisions based on different circumstances and to develop discussions.
Pack encourages discussion on the consequences of crime
'It was also developed to encourage classroom discussions on the problems with guns and knives and to highlight the potential severe consequences to those who become involved in this type of violent crime.'
Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent Police Authority said: 'I'm delighted to launch the guns and knives educational programme. We cannot be complacent and ignore the issue. It's better to tackle this now to prevent it from becoming a problem.
Teaching resource
'I am a teacher myself, and to have lesson plans off the shelf is brilliant. This is something all teachers will be grateful for. The package will act as a preventative measure and will help to open the eyes of young people enabling them to make informed decisions. We often demonise young people today but instead of that we should be helping them. This is potentially one of the best education packages available for schools nationally - it's certainly one of the best I have ever seen.'
Educating young people on the risks of weapons
Chief Constable of Kent Police, Michael Fuller said: 'I am grateful to our partners in Kent and Medway, and Charlton Athletic Community Scheme who have assisted in developing this educational package. Through its use we aim to educate young people about the risks associated with the possession of weapons and their involvement with groups and gangs. Ultimately, we want to reduce the possibility that young people in Kent will carry or use weapons.'
Jo Powell, head teacher and author of a lot of the material in the pack said: 'I have enjoyed the privilege of working with so many agencies to produce this comprehensive and vital programme for the young people of Kent. I believe the material will encourage young people to seriously consider the choices they make and I have every confidence that this will help them to remain safe in a variety of different situations.'
This education pack is a ready made resource for teachers and those involved in working with young people, with all the resources and lesson plans needed to tackle this important issue.
Packs cost £199.00 from kentpeoplestrust@kent.pnn.police.uk
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