Gold ambulance service award for Harrogate school

Rossett School in Harrogate has become the first to receive a prestigious Gold Heart of the Community Award from Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).

This recognition highlights the school’s exceptional commitment to improving cardiac arrest survival rates by equipping students with life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and ensuring the availability of defibrillators.

The Heart of the Community accreditation scheme, launched by YAS and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity, celebrates schools and colleges across the region for their dedication to community safety in the event of a cardiac arrest. The initiative encourages the provision of CPR training and access to defibrillators, recognising their efforts through three levels of accreditation: bronze, silver, and gold.

Rossett School achieved the gold level by meeting rigorous evidence requirements, including taking part in the NHS Trust’s mass CPR training event on Restart a Heart Day for since it began in 2014 and having five on-site defibrillators, including three which are available to the local community.

Jason Carlyon, Community Engagement Manager for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “What happens in the first few minutes after someone has suffered a cardiac arrest is vital. If bystanders can call 999 and start CPR while sending someone to retrieve the nearest defibrillator, that person’s chances of survival can triple.

“Rossett School’s remarkable achievement demonstrates the vital role educational institutions can play in enhancing community resilience and saving lives. Their accomplishment sets a benchmark for other schools and colleges to follow as they strive to make their communities safer and better prepared in the face of cardiac emergencies.”

Rossett School Headteacher Tim Milburn said: “This award is more than a badge; it’s proof of what can be achieved when a community comes together. We are immensely proud of our now-retired First Aid Lead Helen Rogers and everyone who has supported this campaign. It’s an honour to lead a school that takes its role in the community so seriously.”

Since the launch of the Heart of the Community scheme last year, 27 schools have achieved a bronze award and three schools have received a silver award.

For more information about the Heart of the Community accreditation scheme, including details of schools which have received awards, visit https://restartaheart.yas.nhs.uk/get-involved/heart-of-the-community/