Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure the implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in schools.

All state-funded schools in England are required to teach first aid as part of statutory health education, which is taught as part of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE). This includes basic first aid training and how to deal with common injuries. Pupils in secondary schools are taught further first aid, including, for example, how to administer CPR and the purpose of defibrillators. Schools can teach topics beyond those covered in the statutory guidance and have flexibility to respond to local issues.

The department is currently reviewing the RSHE statutory guidance. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has been clear that children’s wellbeing must be at the heart of this guidance for schools. As such, the government will look carefully at the consultation responses, discuss with stakeholders and consider the relevant evidence before setting out next steps.