HUNDREDS of children from Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett and Shenley, who are about to make the move to secondary school, have been learning lessons in personal safety this week.

A scheme called Crucial Crew, run at Hertswood School in Thrift Farm Lane, educates year six pupils through practical sessions with the police, fire service, environmental health officers and other organisations.

On Tuesday, youngsters from Parkside School and Summerswood School learnt important first aid skills from the Red Cross.

They also spent time identifying dangerous electrical hazards on a model landscape and were introduced to the driver of a Sainsbury's lorry to learn about stopping distances and general road safety.

Organiser Joy Cox said: “The retention of information, because they are doing interactive sessions, is massive.

“The scheme encourages youngsters to take more responsibility for themselves and gives them information to really explain why they shouldn't engage in hazardous activities.”

Crucial Crew, which is paid for by the Department for Education, has been serving local primary schoolchildren for the past two years.

Unfortunately, funding cuts mean the 37 teams, which run similar projects across Hertfordshire will be made redundant at the end of August.

Despite this including Ms Cox, as the extended services co-ordinator based at Hertswood School, she is determined to see the Crucial Crew scheme continue.

Ms Cox believes the project offers children invaluable life skills and hopes administration of the event could be adopted by Hertswood School staff, with costs met through local sponsorship.

Around £2,500 would need to be raised each year, the majority of which is spent on transporting primary schoolchildren.

Businesses interested in saving the scheme can contact Joy Cox 07891 521158 or via email jcox@hertswood.herts.sch.uk.