By Mrs Button (Year 6 Teacher)

On Thursday 14th May, Year 6 took part in an important Drug and Alcohol workshop run by A-Life, which focused on the dangers and impact of smoking, vaping, alcohol, and illegal drugs. The session gave students the opportunity to learn about how these substances can affect both physical and mental health, as well as the laws surrounding them.

Throughout the workshop, students explored the harmful effects smoking and vaping can have on the lungs and body. They learned about the addictive nature of nicotine and discussed why vaping, although sometimes seen as harmless, can still pose serious health risks, especially for young people.

The workshop also covered alcohol and its effects on the brain, behaviour, and decision-making. Students were encouraged to think about how alcohol can impact safety, relationships, and long-term health. Discussions around illegal drugs helped students understand the laws relating to drug use and the serious consequences these substances can have on individuals, families, and communities.

The interactive activities helped bring the learning to life and encouraged thoughtful discussion. Students asked mature and insightful questions, showing a real understanding of the importance of making safe and informed choices. Some of the highlights were wearing goggles that imitated the effects of alcohol on the senses, making tasks like catching a ball difficult and the bean boozle lottery (demonstrating the risks of taking substances when we do not know what they contain).

This workshop was a valuable part of our PSHE curriculum, helping Year 6 develop the knowledge and confidence they need to make healthy decisions as they grow older.