PUPILS at a York primary school academy are taking part in a pilot scheme to keep them safe from drugs and alcohol.

The project at Haxby Road Primary Academy is a first for the city from d:side, an interactive drugs education service charity that was launched in Leeds and now covers most of their primary schools.

It is a health education programme that encourages children to make well-informed, positive life choices.

Consultant Ruth Halliwell said that their drug and alcohol education messages added value to schools’ personal, social, health and citizenship education curriculum.

She said: “It can be difficult for classroom teachers to fit in these vital messages when there is limited time.

“Ours is a dedicated service that’s age appropriate and conducted in the child’s own classroom environment.

“There are always stories in the news about how schools should be doing more – we’re equipping children with life skills to manage sensitive situations with their peers.”

Rachel Malster-Hinett, deputy head teacher at Haxby Road, said: “This is really important and is another opportunity for our children to have a voice and discuss the potential consequences of poor choices regarding medicines, cigarettes and alcohol.”

In Reception, the session included how to recognise different feelings and emotions and how to stay healthy.

In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, the sessions progressed through a range of workshops.

These activities allowed the children the opportunity to understand the difference between medicinal and non-medicinal drugs and explore why some drugs are legal and some are illegal.

Ms Halliwell said: “We don’t condemn the use of substances such as alcohol and cigarettes, rather we recognise their existence and provide factual information allowing children to make informed choices in the future.”

As a primary academy Haxby Road is part of Ebor Academy Trust and in York, Ebor schools also include Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy and Park Grove.

Hob Moor Oaks and Hob Moor Community Primary will be the next to join the group this year, with Lakeside and Osbaldwick to follow.

There are other schools operated by Ebor in Selby, in the East Riding and The Humber and on the Yorkshire Coast.