Started in 2008, the scheme sees a Firefighter embedded into a school one day a week. This time is used to support disaffected young people and encourage their continued engagement in full time education by raising aspirations, confidence, respect and by providing a positive role model.
Held at Endeavour House, pupils and teachers from Copleston High School and Suffolk New College attended the event with new firefighter liaison officers, Suffolk’s Chief Fire Officer Mark Hardingham and county councillors.
Each SFLO is funded by the school and costs about £5,000 per year – this is the same amount of funding each school or college would lose if a pupil is excluded. Previous cases include Easton and Otley College, where a SFLO engaging with nine students had a direct effect on them continuing in education. This potentially saved the college £45,000 in lost revenue.
Councillor Colin Spence, cabinet member for public protection said
“I am delighted to see our firefighters working alongside educational staff making a difference in the lives of pupils at schools across Suffolk. Our fire and rescue staff are positive role models and together with teachers they help raise aspirations, self-confidence and respect of the individual.
“We are aiming to increase the number of SFLO across the county and are working closely with other schools to provide more support for vulnerable young people across Suffolk. We all have a part to play in supporting young people to gain the skills and qualifications that will help them to be successful in the future.”
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