Alcohol awareness production ‘Smashed’ its way to Year 7 & Year 8

On Tuesday we welcomed the Smashed international educational theatre production. 

The production is an early intervention strategy, prior to the festive period, to educate on the risks of underage drinking. The aim is to dissuade them from future risky activity and to be aware now, what risky behaviour looks like, so they can stay away from it or dissuade others.

The session was part performance, part interactive question and answer session, drawing out positive behaviours and identifying risk consequences and outcomes.

Lead Practitioner for Personal Development, Ms Smith, said, “Both pupils and staff found the sessions engaging and informative for our Year 7 and 8s. 

“This education is revisited in Year 9 with a Learning for Life Day on Addiction - Knowledge. Year 10 look at the Addiction Impact. Year 11 look at alcohol laws in this country and abroad in relation to future holidays.”

The Smashed initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by fostering a culture of health and wellbeing among young people, a critical demographic for instilling lifelong healthy habits.

Smashed aims to transform attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol consumption among young people. In the 2023-2024 school year, 73 per cent of students in the UK said they were less likely to drink alcohol underage following the Smashed performance.

Smashed works in close collaboration with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs), an organisation that brings together councils, police, retailers, schools, health providers, and community groups across the UK to reduce alcohol related harm among young people.