To the children’s great excitement, the crew arrived with a full operational fire engine, which was parked right in the Junior Playground for everyone to explore.

The session began in the classroom, where the firefighters spoke to the children about the vital work they do in keeping people safe, as well as the importance of knowing what to do in the event of a fire at home. The pupils learned about calling 999 in an emergency, the role of smoke detectors, and why fire safety awareness is so important for everyone.

A highlight of the morning was seeing the specialist protective uniform in action. Mrs Dedden bravely volunteered to model the full firefighter’s kit — including helmet, oxygen tank and face mask — much to the delight of the pupils, who were fascinated to learn how each piece helps to keep firefighters safe on the job.

The learning then moved outside, where the children had the chance to explore the fire engine up close. They sat in the driver’s seat, investigated different pieces of equipment, and learnt about how the crew respond quickly to emergencies. They also discovered the importance of water supply for tackling fires and examined the various hoses stored on board.

The excitement reached its peak when the children were invited to try the fire hose for themselves, directing a powerful spray of water across the playground! The crew also demonstrated the engine’s emergency lighting and siren, giving everyone a real sense of what a fire call-out might feel like.

The visit was both highly informative and tremendously fun, helping the children to understand fire safety in a memorable and meaningful way.

A huge thank you to Jim and his team from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service for giving our pupils such a valuable and inspiring experience.