Three schools in Yorkshire have signed up to offer their GCSE pupils a BTEC in fire and rescue after a successful launch of the course last year.
The vocational qualification, which was set up by firefighters at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, sees students undertake a practical-based course involving training on ladders, pumps and appliances, as well as leadership qualities.
Students on the course are required to go to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue station one day a week for the 36 weeks in a study year.
The first course was offered at Stokesley School in September 2009, where all ten students on the scheme passed.
Jonathan Hoskins, station manager, said, “The students had been disengaged from mainstream education for things like truancy so the school fed them in our direction.
“It’s been a real success, and the school is really pleased with the work that’s been achieved.”
It has now been rolled out to schools in Pickering and Skipton, Yorkshire.
