A SCHOOL in Workington treat its students to a visit to their community’s fire station where they learnt about the equipment they use, the skills needed to save lives and fire safety.

Children from Westfield Primary School were visited by a fire engine and paid a visit to Workington Community Fire Station recently.

Executive headteacher Angela Quirk said: “We try and give the children the experience of a visitor coming into school or us going out. Some of the children wouldn’t have had those experiences.

“We had the fire brigade bring the engine to school the week before and because the fire station is only up the road they had a walk up to have a look at it.”

Firefighters came out to the students and showed them hoses, uniforms and other items of lifesaving equipment.

Students compared firefighters’ uniforms to their own and discussed why the materials are different.

"They looked at the uniforms and the materials and the properties of those materials. It's just to give the children an experience."

Early years students are currently learning about professional roles in the community.

Young people will also receive a visit from a Cumbria Police PCSO and postman.

Westfield School hope that the series of visits from professionals inspires young people who may dream of taking on the career.

“It’s all about looking towards the future.”

The visits and lessons also teach the young people about trusted adults.

“Why would you use the ambulance? Why would you get the fire brigade? They're going to walk to the post box and post a letter.”

Groups up to year six are given the chance to learn outside of the classroom, in keeping with the subjects they are studying at the time.

“Seen as the Covid restrictions have been eased slightly we’ve had visits. It’s giving them that deeper learning and deeper knowledge.”

She added that the school's visits are in their area whilst Covid-19 restrictions are still in place.

Angela took over as executive headteacher in January, the school was given a monitoring inspection from Ofsted in March following a number of changes to roles and the team received positive feedback from the inspectorate.

Ofsted found that: "Leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action to provide education in the current circumstances."

Teachers have consistently worked to ensure no child is left behind during the pandemic.