Primary schools in Greater Manchester are being invited to sign up to a free Sun Safe Schools programme – helping pupils stay safe in the sun and cutting their future risk of skin cancer.
The call comes from the NHS Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, which has teamed up with national skin cancer charity Skcin to encourage schools to gain the Sun Safe Schools accreditation. The Alliance has been working with primary schools across Greater Manchester for the past few years on the scheme.
Nationally over 11,700 settings have now become Sun Safe Schools meaning more than 1.6million children have been reached.
Children spend nearly half of their childhood in school – and around eight hours a week outdoors. Without proper protection like shade, sunscreen and sun-safe habits, young skin can burn easily, potentially increasing the risk of skin cancer later in life.
The current high temperatures are a reminder of just how much this scheme is needed.
The Sun Safe Schools accreditation is simple and completely free. Schools just need to:
create a sun protection policy
work with parents
hold a whole-school assembly
deliver fun, age-appropriate classroom lessons
Dr Stephanie Ogden, Consultant Dermatologist and Skin Cancer Clinical Lead for Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said: “The Sun Safe Schools programme gives schools everything they need – completely free – to put good sun safety policies in place.
“It helps schools meet government guidance while spreading the message about the importance of staying safe in the sun across the whole school community.”
Marie Tudor, Skcin Chief Executive, said education is key.
She said: “Around 90% of skin cancer cases are preventable. Most are caused by over-exposure to UV.
“Our Sun Safe Schools programme has already reached over 10,000 education settings and 1.5 million children across the UK. We’re proud to be working with Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance to get even more schools involved.”
Sun Safe Schools provides free lesson plans, assemblies, policies and guidance as part of the PHSE curriculum, helping schools show their commitment to:
- Protection – creating a sun-safe environment
- Education – teaching children how to stay safe
- Collaboration – working with parents and the wider community
Schools can sign up now at: www.sunsafeschools.co.uk
