Schools: Investing in the next generation

The schools project is an investment to influence long-term behaviour change within younger generations by educating them about cancer, cancer treatment, and the connection to healthy behaviours. It aligns with the new curriculum in Wales, and contributes to the national aim to develop healthy, confident, informed citizens. It also explores intergenerational learning, by raising awareness of bowel screening, signs and symptoms amongst the wider school community alongside teaching the dedicated cancer module.

Between May and July 2019, Pontypridd High School ran a pilot module with a group of 30 year 8 pupils. Over 6 weeks the pupils visited the University Hospital of Wales to watch live colorectal surgery using augmented reality technology and received classroom-based learning delivered collaboratively by school staff, colleagues from Bowel Screening Wales and a colorectal surgeon. The programme culminated in a student-led live event where they demonstrated their learning to parents, carers, governors and other invited guests.

Building on this experience, the learning programme was then delivered to a full year 7 cohort of 155 pupils in 2020/21. This included all of the classroom based activities and also the streaming a live operation to the school for all students to observe.

The second phase in 2021/22, saw Pontypridd High School support a network of six secondary schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf to deliver the learning programme to their year 7 pupils. This collaboration has extended to working alongside colleagues from the Local Health Board, Local Authority, Bowel Screening Wales and health professionals that represent GP practices and the Royal Glamorgan Hospital .

The learning programme for students, staff and wider school community is now available to comprehensive schools across Wales, with 24 schools committed to delivering the programme this academic year.

Get in touch if you are interested in the learning programme and would like to know more.