Pupils get to grips with firefighting

Budding firefighters at a Barnsley school are getting to grips with a new course that will give them a nationally recognised qualification in the fire service.

By The Newsroom

Published 14th Sep 2010, 21:58 BST

Updated 14th Sep 2010, 22:01 BST

Eighteen 10 and 11 pupils of Willowgarth High, Grimethorpe, had their first day of the course at Barnsley fire station and if successful they will achieve a level two BTEC qualification in Fire Services in the Community.

The two-year course is one of the first of its kind and has been taken up by more than 40 pupils from Willowgarth High, Barnsley Academy, Wombwell High and Thrybergh Comprehensive since being piloted in 2009.

Instructor Darren Atkinson said: "Much of the work is practical where the pupils are taught firefighting skills and techniques, but there is also a theory element where we focus on the risk of arson and the role of the fire service within the community."

The course is believed to have contributed to a drop in arson cases across South Yorkshire.

Barnsley Community