Really enjoyed the trial this week for Lifeskills - our new Year 8 programme in the safety village. It comprised of an interactive tour led by Safeside Presenters and drama students from Birmingham City University. The drama students have written and devised their own scripts, based on criteria set down by Safeside, as part of their community drama studies.

The Year 8 pupils witnessed a mugging, decided how to respond to anti-social behaviour on the No. 26 Safeside bus, learnt about drugs around the house and the effects of alcohol. Visitors covered fire safety in the house, including reacting safely to the discovery of a our realistic fire situation. Our own Fire Service Road Casualty Reduction teams led both pedestrian and in car safety sessions, whilst a police officer led internet safety and a Safeside Presenter delivered the drugs scenario.

Teachers on the visit have provided extensive feedback to help with the continued development of the scheme. 'An excellent way of bringing safety information to pupils' said one. Another commented on our courtroom drama: 'being part of the jury meant that the pupils had to really think about an analyse the case'.

Pupils themselves completed both a quiz to test for factual knowledge, and an evaluation to assess how attitudes may have changed as a result, and to gather suggestions for amendments.

Following the evaluation we'll be revising the scheme content and appointing and training sessional Presenters to deliver it, with up to 140 pupils attending one day a week from September.