Year 6 RSHE Lesson – Basic First Aid (Emergencies & Responsible Bystander Behaviour)

This engaging and age appropriate Year 6 Basic First Aid RSHE lesson prepares pupils for greater independence as they transition to secondary school. Building on learning from earlier years, this upper Key Stage 2 health education resource strengthens pupils’ ability to recognise serious emergencies, assess personal safety, and take responsible action when adults are not immediately present.

What Pupils Will Learn:

• How first aid knowledge becomes more important with increased independence
  
• What first aid is and how it can prevent injuries from worsening
  
• The difference between minor injuries and life threatening emergencies
  
• Clear examples of emergencies including unconsciousness, heavy bleeding, breathing difficulty, severe burns, broken bones, seizures and serious head injuries
  
• Why, if unsure, it is safer to treat a situation as serious and seek help quickly
  
• How to stop, breathe and think before acting
  
• How to check that the area is safe
  
• How to decide whether to get an adult, call 999, or both
  
• What to say when calling 999, including which service is needed
  
• The three essential pieces of information emergency services require
  
• Why they must stay on the line until told to hang up
  
• Why misuse of 999 can delay help for others
  
• Why head injuries require careful monitoring and urgent action if symptoms worsen
  
• When it may be unsafe to approach a situation
  
• Why helping or getting help is always better than filming an incident

What’s Included:

• Ready to use PowerPoint lesson presentation
  
• Age appropriate statistics to contextualise learning
  
• Structured emergency decision making scenarios
  
• Clear step by step 999 call guidance
  
• Head injury awareness and warning signs
  
• Strong safeguarding and personal safety messaging
  
• Discussion prompts around ethical bystander behaviour
  
• Guidance on when not to intervene directly

Real Life Scenarios Covered:

• Travelling or being in public without adults nearby
  
• Witnessing someone unconscious or not breathing
  
• Severe bleeding that does not stop
  
• Serious head injuries with confusion or vomiting
  
• Situations involving fire, roads, water, or unsafe environments
  
• Incidents involving aggressive behaviour or substance misuse
  
• Deciding whether to intervene directly or raise the alarm safely

Key Reflection Points:

• What makes something a medical emergency rather than a minor injury
  
• Why personal safety must always come first
  
• What three key details must be given to 999
  
• When stepping in could put you at risk
  
• Why filming emergencies is harmful and irresponsible
  
• How calm, clear thinking can save lives

Perfect For:

• Year 6 RSHE or PSHE lessons
  
• Upper KS2 Health Education statutory coverage
  
• Transition preparation for secondary school
  
• Safeguarding and risk awareness units
  
• Digital citizenship and bystander behaviour discussions
  
• Whole school emergency awareness initiatives

Why Schools Choose This Lesson:

✓ Supports statutory Health Education requirements
✓ Prepares pupils for increased independence
✓ Reinforces advanced emergency recognition skills
✓ Integrates safeguarding and personal safety boundaries
✓ Promotes responsible digital behaviour
✓ Encourages mature, calm and ethical decision making

Learning Outcomes:

This lesson enables pupils to distinguish confidently between minor injuries and life threatening emergencies, communicate effectively with emergency services, and prioritise personal safety while supporting others. Pupils develop the maturity to assess risk, make informed decisions, and act responsibly in real world situations, reinforcing that while professional medical care is the responsibility of trained responders, calm and informed actions from young people can make a critical difference.