New concussion awareness resource part of Ben’s legacy

New lesson plans for schools to highlight the dangers of concussion were launched today (Wednesday).
(file pic) Education Minister John ODowd, Peter Robinson and Karen Robinson Walton, parents of Benjamin Robinson and Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín at the launch of the Recognise and Remove campaign last year  (picture: Michael Cooper). INCT 19-709-CON(file pic) Education Minister John ODowd, Peter Robinson and Karen Robinson Walton, parents of Benjamin Robinson and Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín at the launch of the Recognise and Remove campaign last year  (picture: Michael Cooper). INCT 19-709-CON
(file pic) Education Minister John ODowd, Peter Robinson and Karen Robinson Walton, parents of Benjamin Robinson and Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín at the launch of the Recognise and Remove campaign last year (picture: Michael Cooper). INCT 19-709-CON

The web-based resource unveiled by Education Minister John O’Dowd is part of a wider initiative introduced following the death of Carrickfergus schoolboy Benjamin Robinson in a rugby game.

Aimed at Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 4, the plans provide information and activities to equip pupils with the knowledge they need to recognise the signs and potential dangers of concussion.

Mr O’Dowd said: “Concussion is a head injury and as such can have serious consequences. The tragic death of Benjamin Robinson in 2011 brought the issue into sharp focus and since then it has been high on my agenda, which is why I launched the Recognise and Remove campaign last year.

“And as a direct and on-going legacy of that campaign I commissioned the Council for Curriculum and Assessment (CCEA) to produce interactive, multi-media lesson plans for teachers. The lesson plans are engaging and provide valuable life-saving information tailored to pupils aged 4-16 with different age appropriate ways for getting the key message across. For young and old, the message is simple – if in doubt, sit them out. Never take a chance where someone’s health is concerned.

“With the rugby World Cup currently underway the dangers of concussion are a major talking point. All of us from the sporting world and across the field of education must re-double our efforts to highlight this issue to recognise concussion, remove the person affected from the field of play and get them assessed.”

Since Benjamin’s death, his family have been active in raising awareness of the dangers associated with concussion as part of the Recognise and Remove campaign.

The lesson plans are available on the CCEA website: http://ccea.org.uk/concussion/ and through the C2K system in schools.