First Aid Training for Schools Across Devon, Cornwall & the South West

Practical, engaging first aid training for teachers, school staff and pupils, delivered on-site at your school or academy.

Whether you’re a nursery, primary school, secondary school, college or multi-academy trust, we help schools meet their first aid responsibilities by delivering high-quality, scenario-based training tailored to the education sector.

From Emergency First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid to School Allergy Awareness Training and CPR education, our courses provide staff with the confidence to respond effectively when it matters most.

First Aid Training Designed for Educational Settings

Schools present unique first aid challenges. Staff may be required to respond to a wide range of medical emergencies involving pupils, colleagues or visitors, often before emergency services arrive.

Our practical training prepares staff to recognise and manage incidents such as:

• Cardiac arrest

• Choking

• Asthma attacks

• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

• Seizures

• Diabetic emergencies

• Head injuries

• Major bleeding

• Unresponsive casualties

Training is delivered using realistic school-based scenarios, helping delegates develop the confidence to act quickly and effectively during real emergencies.

Use our First Aid Training Calculator to identify the most appropriate qualification for your organisation, or speak to our team for friendly, impartial advice.

First Aid Courses for Schools:

Combined Emergency First Aid at Work & Emergency Paediatric First Aid

Many schools require staff to be prepared for both workplace first aid emergencies and incidents involving children. Rather than attending two separate courses, we offer the Qualsafe Awards Combined Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA) qualification.

This regulated one-day course combines the essential elements of both qualifications, making it an excellent choice for schools, academies, nurseries and educational settings where staff may need to respond to emergencies involving colleagues, pupils or visitors.

The course covers:

• Adult CPR and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Child and infant CPR
• Unresponsive adults, children and infants
• Choking management for adults, children and infants
• Severe bleeding and shock
• Minor injuries
• Seizures
• Asthma emergencies
• Anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions
• Incident management and emergency procedures

This qualification is particularly suitable for:

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools
• Nurseries and Pre-Schools
• EYFS Settings
• Before and After School Clubs
• School Sports Staff
• Teaching Assistants
• Teachers and Support Staff

By completing a single course, delegates gain the knowledge and practical skills required to manage both workplace first aid incidents and paediatric emergencies, helping schools meet their first aid needs efficiently while minimising staff time away from the classroom.

→ Learn more about our Combined EFAW & Emergency Paediatric First Aid Course

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)

Ideal for schools requiring qualified workplace first aiders following their First Aid Needs Assessment.

This regulated one-day qualification equips staff with the knowledge and practical skills to manage common workplace first aid emergencies.

Recommended for:

• Teachers

• Teaching Assistants

• Office Staff

• Caretakers

• Sports Staff

• Administrative Teams

→ Emergency First Aid at Work

First Aid at Work (FAW)

Our comprehensive three-day First Aid at Work qualification is suitable for schools requiring a higher level of workplace first aid provision.

The course covers a wider range of medical emergencies and trauma management and is appropriate where a school’s First Aid Needs Assessment identifies additional risk.

→ First Aid at Work

Paediatric First Aid

Designed for those working with babies and young children, our regulated Paediatric First Aid course is suitable for nurseries, pre-schools, EYFS settings and primary education where appropriate.

Training covers both emergency and everyday paediatric first aid situations, providing confidence when caring for infants and children.

→ Paediatric First Aid Training

School Allergy Awareness Training

With strengthened allergy safety expectations for schools, ensuring staff understand how to recognise and respond to severe allergic reactions has never been more important.

Our dedicated School Allergy Awareness Training helps schools prepare staff to:

• Recognise the signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis.

• Respond confidently during an emergency.

• Understand the use of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs).

• Support effective allergy management within the school environment.

Practical training includes familiarisation with common adrenaline auto-injector trainer devices and realistic emergency scenarios.

→ School Allergy Awareness Training

Student First Aid Education

First aid is an important life skill, and we deliver engaging, age-appropriate sessions designed to build confidence in young people.

Sessions can include:

• Calling 999

• CPR awareness

• Defibrillator (AED) awareness

• Recovery Position

• Choking

• Basic first aid

• Staying safe in an emergency

Training can be adapted for primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.

Training Delivered at Your School

All courses can be delivered on-site, allowing schools to train staff with minimal disruption to the school day.

We regularly work with:

• Nurseries

• Primary Schools

• Secondary Schools

• Colleges

• Independent Schools

• Special Schools

• Multi-Academy Trusts

Delivering training on-site allows delegates to learn within their own environment and discuss procedures specific to their school.

Developed in Line with National Standards

Our regulated first aid qualifications and assessments are developed in accordance with nationally recognised standards and current best practice, including:

• Resuscitation Council UK recommendations.

• Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications.

• Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

• Current guidance from the Department for Education relating to first aid provision in schools.

Our School Allergy Awareness Training has been developed to support schools in understanding and implementing the latest Department for Education allergy safety guidance, often referred to as Benedict’s Law. The training complements existing first aid provision by helping staff recognise severe allergic reactions, respond appropriately during an emergency and understand the school’s responsibilities for allergy management.

Why Schools Choose Optimal First Aid

We understand that schools need more than a certificate—they need staff who are confident to act in a real emergency.

Our training is:

• Practical and scenario-based.

• Delivered by experienced emergency care professionals.

• Tailored to educational settings.

• Flexible around INSET days and staff development.

• Delivered on-site across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and the South West.

We focus on building confidence through realistic practice, ensuring delegates leave ready to respond when it matters most.