Drinkaware calls for more alcohol awareness in schools

To coincide with Alcohol Awareness Week, Drinkaware is calling on teachers and school leaders to introduce and develop alcohol awareness amongst pupils.

Alcohol Awareness Week is running from 14-20 November and Drinkaware is providing an introductory lesson plan designed to help teachers of young people aged 9-14 to quickly and efficiently familiarise themselves with alcohol awareness.

Research has shown a downward trend in the number of under-16s drinking alcohol, with 11-15s who have tried alcohol falling from 64 per cent in 1990 to 38 per cent in 2014, but young Britons still drink more than the European average.

Drinkaware hopes that by exploring the risk and consequences of alcohol consumption within the classroom schools can help to promote positive attitude amongst their students.

The lesson plan is available from the Drinkaware for Education online resource, a curriculum-linked alcohol education programme suitable for PSHE lessons with students in both primary and secondary schools.

Elaine Hindal, chief executive of Drinkaware, says, “Drinkaware for Education has been developed in partnership with teachers and experts to give young people the knowledge they need. Not every school has a dedicated PSHE teacher, so we’ve produced resources which are easy to understand and encourage engaging, informative teaching.

“As well as the harmful effects of alcohol on the body, the resources address issues such as emotional wellbeing and peer pressure. Through scenario-based interactive lessons, teachers are able to reach young people in the right way and at the right time about the harms and risks associated with alcohol.”