New lesson plans about the dangers of concussion – O’Dowd

Education Minister John O’Dowd has introduced lesson plans for schools, which teachers can use to highlight the dangers of concussion.

The new web-based resources, which are available in English and Irish, are aimed at Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 4 and provide information and activities to help equip pupils with the knowledge they need to recognise the signs and potential dangers of concussion.

Speaking at Lagan College in Belfast where he launched the new lesson plans, the Minister said:

“Concussion is a head injury and as such can have serious consequences. The tragic death of Benjamin Robinson in 2011 brought the issue into sharp focus and since then it has been high on my agenda, which is why I launched the Recognise and Remove campaign last year.

 And as a direct and on-going legacy of that campaign I commissioned the Council for Curriculum and Assessment (CCEA) to produce interactive, multi-media lesson plans for teachers. The lesson plans are engaging and provide valuable life-saving information tailored to pupils aged 4-16 with different age appropriate ways for getting the key message across. For young and old, the message is simple – if in doubt, sit them out. Never take a chance where someone’s health is concerned.

 With the rugby world cup currently underway the dangers of concussion are a major talking point. All of us from the sporting world and across the field of education must re-double our efforts to highlight this issue to recognise concussion, remove the person affected from the field of play and get them assessed.”

The lesson plans which include information for both teachers and pupils, are presented as pupil activities and assist in raising the awareness of concussion and how pupils should respond to protect their own and other’s health. The activities include a quiz to check pupil’s understanding of concussion, how to spot the signs and to encourage them to tell an adult if they or a friend have hit their head.  

Justin Edwards, Chief Executive at CCEA, said:

“The new Recognise and Remove website developed by CCEA in collaboration with the curriculum team at the Department of Education, is a valuable new resource and will help to raise awareness and knowledge of this important issue among teachers and pupils. It provides key information around concussion in a clear and concise way and has been designed to appeal to all age groups.”

Notes to editors: 

1. More information about concussion is available on the new Recognise and Remove website
2. The lesson plans are available on the CCEA website , DE website and through the C2K system in schools.
3. The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit nidirect for more information or watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel 
4. See photos from the Department of Education in our Flickr collection 
5. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.

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