The DARE Primary Programme 2007-2008
Aims of the DARE Primary Programme:
Ø To provide practical support for a school’s drug education policy
Ø To provide children with the opportunity to develop life skills that will help them to make healthy and informed decisions
Ø To increase knowledge and understanding of drugs, including medicines, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and volatile substances
Ø To educate children about the effects and potential risks associated with the use of drugs
Ø To provide an opportunity for children to explore a range of attitudes towards drug use
Ø To help children to consider appropriate ways of dealing with conflict, and to recognise the consequences of dealing with conflict inappropriately
Ø To help children to have an understanding of antisocial behaviour and bullying, their effects, and where to go for help
Ø To provide clear links with the PSHE/Citizenship Curriculum
Ø To support elements of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children outcomes, linking to the National Healthy Schools Standard
Ø To work in partnership with schools, teachers, parents, carers, and the wider community
Delivery techniques:
The DARE programme offers a variety of tools for active learning, including discussion, role play, team work, quizzes, and exploration of attitudes. The children are provided with the opportunity to evaluate the activities, and reflect upon their own thoughts, opinions and attitudes throughout the course.
Supporting the National Curriculum for PSHE and Citizenship, and the Every Child Matters Framework:
The programme has been designed to fit within the PSHE and citizenship National Curriculum and to support the Every Child Matters framework, Be Healthy, Stay Safe and Make a Positive Contribution. There is a document that shows where DARE fits against the learning objectives for drug education at key stage 2.
Supporting PSHE and citizenship in the classroom:
DARE is intended to be used to support and be integrated into a school’s PSHE and citizenship work and drug education. Where there is a DARE Officer delivering the programme it is expected that the teacher is in the classroom throughout the sessions, so as to support the children, maintain behaviour, and to be able to follow up the lessons. Below are some ideas as to how DARE can be used to support your PSHE and citizenship work.
Ø Explore children’s attitudes towards alcohol/smoking/anti-social behaviour, and enabling them to explore the attitudes of others, regarding these topics
§ considering why people may or may not use drugs, including medicines and alcohol
§ explore a variety of attitudes, for example the point of view from someone who smokes
§ considering why people may behave in an anti-social manner
§ think about the effects of use of alcohol/smoking/anti social behaviour on other people
Ø Debate or discuss laws for alcohol/tobacco/cannabis
Ø Explore perceptions of what a risk is, and why people may take risks
Ø Look at the consequences, both the negatives and positives of taking a risk
Ø Explore perceptions about stereotypes
Ø Investigate the consequences of a variety of situations
Cross Curricular Links:
Science Life Processes, 2g; Breadth of Study, 1c, 2b QCA Science: Unit 5A, Section 9
Literacy DARE report, discussions and debates
I.C.T. Gathering information, writing up DARE report, designing posters
Evaluation:
It is important to assess the stage children are starting from, in any aspect of education, including drug education. There is a pre-course and post-course questionnaire , which can be used to help you with this. This can be carried out before and after the programme, to help you to decide what the children need to gain from the DARE course, and what they have actually gained from the programme. We would be interested in your findings.
Another tool for assessment is the Jugs and Herrings, diagnostic research and evaluation tool. It is a ‘draw and write’ technique, devised by Noreen Wetton.
All Nottinghamshire schools will soon have a copy of the On Track Teacher Resource pack, a life skills programme for 6-7 year olds. Included in this is a copy of the Jugs and Herrings diagnostic research and evaluation tool, which can be used across the primary age range. More information about this and how to obtain a copy can be found on the On Track website www.on-track.org.uk.
Throughout the DARE course children are invited to reflect upon the sessions and to draw or write about what they have gained from each session. In the first session they are asked to think about what they would like to gain from the DARE programme, and then in the last class session they are asked to consider if the DARE programme had met with their needs. The DARE report also offers an opportunity for children to reflect on the impact of the course.
The content and delivery of the DARE programme is continually monitored. The DARE officers are observed during the academic year, by the DARE UK Training Manager. You will also find an evaluation form for you to complete about the DARE Officer’s delivery. If you have the time to complete this. This will assist with the monitoring of the delivery.
There will be evaluation forms for teachers and parents, available online, or if you have a DARE Officer you may ask them for a copy. You do not have to complete these, but it does help us to identify strengths and any areas of development, for the programme.
Special Educational Needs:
There are additional resources which can be used to complement some of the activities. These have been designed with the kind permission of the company Widgit Software, by Naomi Garrett from Widgit Software, (www.widgit.com) and input from Shelley Birkley from Ash Lea School, Nottinghamshire.
You may also find the activities on the Childline website helpful. They have designed a package entitled ‘All About Me’ a resource pack which can be used for children with SEN and includes a session, ‘Identifying the Qualities of a Good Friend’.
http://www.childline.org.uk/extra/allaboutme.asp
There is a good pack from Frank which was published in 2004, Drug Pack- An easy to read pack. If this is still available (but we are not sure), you will be able to obtain copies by calling the Home Office order line 0870 241 4680, or email dpas@prolog.uk.com .
Other Resources:
You will find a list of useful educational, informative and support websites available on our website.
Further Information:
For further information about the DARE (UK) Primary Programme, please contact:
DARE (UK) Ltd
DARE House
Bluecoat School
Aspley Lane
Nottingham
NG8 5GY
Tel: 0115 9007232
Fax: 0115 9007231
Email: enquiries@dare.uk.com
Website: www.dare.uk.com
