The DARE Primary Programme 2008-2009
Aims of the DARE Primary Programme:
· To provide practical support for a school’s drug education curriculum in years 5 and 6
· To provide children with the opportunity to develop life skills that will help them to make healthy and informed decisions
· To increase knowledge and understanding of drugs, including medicines, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and volatile substances
· To educate children about the effects and potential risks associated with the use of drugs
· To provide children with an opportunity to explore a range of attitudes towards drug use
· To help children to consider appropriate ways of dealing with conflict, and to recognise the consequences of dealing with conflict inappropriately
· To help children to have an understanding of antisocial behaviour and bullying, their effects, and where to go for help
· To provide clear links with the PSHE/Citizenship Curriculum
· To support elements of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children outcomes, linking to the National Healthy Schools Standard
· To work in partnership with schools, teachers, parents, carers, and the wider community, including the police
Delivery
The DARE programme offers a variety of tools to meet the needs of children with different learning styles, 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, particularly, Be Healthy, Stay Safe and Make a Positive Contribution. There is a document, which can be found on the website 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 be in the classroom throughout the sessions, so as to support the children, maintain behaviour, and to be able to follow up the lessons.
Cross Curricular Links
Science
Life Processes, 2g: About the effects on the human body of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and how these relate to their personal health
Breadth of Study, 1c: Using a range of sources of information and data, including ICT-based sources
2b: Recognise that there are hazards in living things, materials and physical processes, and assess risks and take action to reduce risks to themselves and others.
QCA Science: Unit 5A, Section 9
Literacy
Speaking and Listening
- Taking turns in discussion and debates
- Presenting to a range of audiences including to the class and at graduations
- Listening to others in the class
- Listening to television recordings
- Improvisation and working in role
- Responding to own and others’ performance
Reading
- Reading for information- Fact cards and scenarios
Writing
- Report writing- DARE report
- Present information in different ways for a range of audiences:
Ø Information leaflet for patients in a doctor’s surgery
Ø Write about why people might choose to drink alcohol
Mathematics
- Representing information in a graph- Normative beliefs work
ICT
- Gathering information about drugs, bullying and antisocial behaviour
- Writing up the DARE report
- Designing poster and leaflet
PSHE and Citizenship
Developing confidence and responsibility and making the most of their abilities
- Talking and writing about their opinions and views
- Compliment activity
- Self-Esteem balloon activity
- Responsible and informed decision-making
Preparing to play an active role as citizens
· Discuss and debate the ban of smoking in public places
· Develop and understand DARE class rules
· Having an understanding of the consequences of different aspects of anti-social behaviour and bullying, with an understanding from different perspectives
· Start to consider their own and other peoples attitudes about smoking and drinking of alcohol
· Role play and decision-making based around different scenarios and social and moral dilemmas
· Consider the role of the media in the sale of alcohol
Developing a healthy, safer lifestyle
· Making informed decisions
· Understanding the health, social, legal and financial consequences of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and volatile substances
· Developing skills to recognise and be able to get out of and stay out of risky situations
· Understanding sources of pressure and developing skills to manage these pressures
· Information about where to go for help
Developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people
· Understand what makes a good friend, and how they themselves can be a good friend
· Challenging stereotypes, for example the perception of someone who smokes or drinks
· Exploring why people have to, or choose to use different substances
· Develop skills to manage disagreements
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 DARE website.
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 UK Training Manager and the Mentors observe the DARE officers during the academic year. 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 it will assist with the monitoring of the delivery.
There will be evaluation forms for teachers, parents and children 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, including gifted learners
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 additional resources on the website to support the DARE programme, including video clips. We are continuously developing our resources and welcome your ideas.
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
